Kremlin May Be Planning to Rig Presidential Election

by Dan Forrest
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Europe

MOSCOW, Russia - For many Russians, voting in tomorrow's presidential election seems like little more than a formality.  Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev is expected to win a landslide victory over his three opponents.  Mr. Medvedev has been endorsed by President Putin as part of his 'United Russia' party, and with Putin's continued support, his victory may be practically guaranteed.  Medvedev has worked with Putin for many years, and will allow Putin to stay on as Prime Minister. 

Many Russians feel that, by effectively switching positions with Medvedev, Putin is undermining the democratic process.  Allowing Putin to become Russia's new Prime Minister may allow him to seize power that he can no longer have because his last presidential term has expired.  This has sparked some to ask the question: who will be running the country? Putin or Medvedev?   

What is interesting about this election is how little the candidates have campaigned.  The BBC reports that Medvedev has spent most of his time performing his usual work as Prime Minister, with little time spent campaigning.  This has created a general sense of apathy not only among the candidates, but also among potential voters.  It is unknown how many Russians will vote in tomorrow's election.  Many feel that it would simply be a waste of time. 

There is great concern that, in the absence of a large voting turnout, the Kremlin may rig the election to boost the legitimacy of Medvedev's victory.  Reports have surfaced in Britain alleging that the Kremlin is planning to falsify the election results by forcing public servants to vote and by stuffing ballot boxes.  The Guardian reports that, in some cases, teachers and other public servants are being forced to work on election day [Sunday].  Additionally, they are being required to vote with absentee ballots, a process which may be easier for the Kremlin to control. 

There are also reports that students in Russia are being forced to vote for Medvedev or face being thrown out of dormitories. 

The election will not be monitored by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).  The OSCE will not participate because Russia has refused to allow its election monitors their visas on time.  The Russian government used a similar tactic to discourage OSCE participation during parliamentary elections last December. 

It is unknown whether western nations will congratulate Medvedev on his victory.  Undoubtedly, Russia is displaying an increasingly undemocratic system that is of grave concern for us all.

For more information, please see:

BBC - Russians vote for new president - 1 March 2008

CNN - Russia votes for Putin's successor - 1 March 2008

The Guardian - Kremlin planning to rig election - 29 February 2008

Yahoo (Reuters) - Voting starts in Russian presidential election - 1 March 2008

Comments

[Anton]

"The Guardian reports that, in some cases, teachers and other public servants are being forced to work on election day"

"There are also reports that students in Russia are being forced to vote for Medvedev or face being thrown out of dormitories."

The kremlin is not behind this. The problem is that the schools get most of there funding from the government. So, the heads of these public places don't want money shortage. This is there own choice. (Be free and poor or with money and obliged) But, i repeat again that it's up to each persons what to do. (You can't build democracy, when you violate the laws yourself -- you need to demand the right from the government )

[Askerov]

Russia under Putin's rule is displayed outright when the opposition is left with nothing but to stage provocative art actions involving sex (!!) such as the one the Russian internet is currently raving about - "F@ck for the heir Puppy Bear". The heir "Puppy Bear" is Putin's successor - Medvedev.

http://www.indymedia.org/en/2008/03/901901.shtml

In Russian from a news agency - http://www.sobkorr.ru/news/47CA7AEEABB5D.html