Who administers direct democracy mechanisms at the national level?

Federal law “On Basic Guarantees of Electoral Rights and the Right of Citizens of the Russian Federation to Participate in a Referendum” (as amended on September 27, December 24, 2002; June 23, July 4, 2003)

Chapter IV. Election Commissions, Referendum Commissions

Article 20. System and Status of Election Commissions, Referendum Commissions

2. When relevant referendums are held, the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, election commissions of subjects of the Russian Federation, election commissions of municipalities, territorial election commissions shall act in the capacity of referendum commissions. Other election commissions may act as referendum commissions on the basis of the decision of the relevant higher election commissions in charge of the formation of election commissions that shall be made taken in the procedure provided for by Clause 9 of thisarticle.