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Russians vote, low turnout Putin`s only threat
Vladivostok, Russia, Mar 14: Russians began voting today with most set to back the re-election of President Vladimir Putin, who is promising to end years of grinding post-Soviet poverty.
Vladivostok, Russia, Mar 14: Russians began voting today with most set to back the re-election of President Vladimir Putin, who is promising to end years of grinding post-Soviet poverty.
The only real threat to Putin`s triumph would be apathetic Russian voters failing to turn out in large enough numbers. At least 50 percent turnout is needed for the election to be valid.
Voting started in Chukotka, a remote tundra region in the far east, where the temperature was warm for the time of year at around minus 10 degrees celsius. The region is nine hours ahead of Moscow time.
Voters also headed to polling stations in Kamchatka, a peninsula jutting far into the pacific.
Before polling started, Russia`s top election official tried to instill enthusiasm into voters.
``We have to make sure this election is like a celebration,`` Alexander Veshnyakov, head of the Central Election Commission, was quoted saying. He urged voters to take an interest. ``If you are indifferent -- what kind of attitude is that?`` he told state television. ``We can`t allow that to happen.``
Opinion polls routinely show Putin with an approval rating of at least 70 percent. Little other than voter apathy can keep him from sweeping past five rivals to another four-year term.
The former KGB spy has strong backing from impoverished Russians, weary of the chaotic post-soviet era, for his goals of political stability and faster economic growth.
But the election campaign has been colourless, sparking little excitement among Russia`s 109 million voters.
Despite the predictable result, opposition candidates accuse the Kremlin of plotting to skew the vote in Putin`s favour.
Putin`s main opponents -- Liberal Irina Khakamada, Communist Nikolai Kharitonov and Nationalist Sergei Glazyev -- have said campaigning was marred by pro-Kremlin bias in the media. They have accused Putin of failing to combat poverty and corruption.
Bureau Report
Voting started in Chukotka, a remote tundra region in the far east, where the temperature was warm for the time of year at around minus 10 degrees celsius. The region is nine hours ahead of Moscow time.
Voters also headed to polling stations in Kamchatka, a peninsula jutting far into the pacific.
Before polling started, Russia`s top election official tried to instill enthusiasm into voters.
``We have to make sure this election is like a celebration,`` Alexander Veshnyakov, head of the Central Election Commission, was quoted saying. He urged voters to take an interest. ``If you are indifferent -- what kind of attitude is that?`` he told state television. ``We can`t allow that to happen.``
Opinion polls routinely show Putin with an approval rating of at least 70 percent. Little other than voter apathy can keep him from sweeping past five rivals to another four-year term.
The former KGB spy has strong backing from impoverished Russians, weary of the chaotic post-soviet era, for his goals of political stability and faster economic growth.
But the election campaign has been colourless, sparking little excitement among Russia`s 109 million voters.
Despite the predictable result, opposition candidates accuse the Kremlin of plotting to skew the vote in Putin`s favour.
Putin`s main opponents -- Liberal Irina Khakamada, Communist Nikolai Kharitonov and Nationalist Sergei Glazyev -- have said campaigning was marred by pro-Kremlin bias in the media. They have accused Putin of failing to combat poverty and corruption.
Bureau Report