Getting out the voters in Russia
Sense of duty pulls in Russian vote
"At Moscow's polling station number one, the fears of some Russian officials that a low turnout could take the shine off Dmitry Medvedev's likely victory seem unfounded...
'If turnout is less than 50 per cent across the country, the election would be declared invalid and another organised...
"Campaign posters for the four candidates have been few and far between in the capital, but on billboards and in shop windows people have been urged to go to the polling stations by a poster in the colours of the Russian flag.
"Messages were sent to peoples' mobile telephones and printed on the back of metro tickets reminding voters that the election was being held on March 2.
"Many people seemed to be showing up at the polling station despite acknowledging that there was very little chance that their vote would make a difference to the outcome...
"But outside of Moscow, some people were being encouraged to take part in a significantly less controversial manner.
"Lotteries with a car as first prize, free haircuts, free medical checks and invitations to nightclubs have all been offered as incentives.
"In Sochi, the location for the 2014 Winter Olympics, voters will also have the chance to pick their favourite of four potential mascots for the games..."
Labels: elections, political culture, Russia
posted by Ken Wedding @ 9:39 AM
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