Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has signed into law a bill restoring the direct election of regional governors, part of a series of political reforms promised after mass protests following disputed parliamentary elections in December.

Under the law signed Wednesday, Russian citizens will be able to elect their own regional governors independently, a practice Russia abolished in 2004 during the presidency of Vladimir Putin. More recently, the Kremlin has chosen new governors from a list provided by the ruling party.

The new law also erases the requirement for political parties to gather signed petitions to stand in all elections except presidential ones. Parties must still get signed petitions to enter a candidate in presidential elections.