Posted on 02/29/2008 10:17:04 AM PST by NinoFan
The Kremlin is planning to falsify the results of this Sunday's presidential election in Russia by compelling millions of public sector workers to vote and by fraudulently boosting the official turnout after polls close, the Guardian has learned.
Governors, regional officials, and even headteachers have been instructed to deliver a landslide majority for Dmitry Medvedev - Russia's first deputy prime minister, whom President Vladimir Putin has endorsed to be his successor.
Officials have been told they need to secure a 68% to 70% turnout in this weekend's poll - with around 72% casting votes for Medvedev. However, independent analysts believe the real turnout will be much lower - with between 25% and 50% of the electorate taking part.
The Kremlin is planning to bridge the gap by the use of widespread fraud, diplomats and other independent sources have told the Guardian. Local election officials are preparing to stuff ballot boxes once the polls have closed with unused ballots, they believe, with regional officials also giving inflated tallies to Russia's central election commission.
Additionally, public sector workers including teachers, students, and doctors have been told to vote on Sunday or risk losing their jobs or university places. Parents have even been warned at parents' meetings that if they fail to turn up their children might suffer at school.
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
and Jimmuh Cahter will immediately declareit to bea fair and honest election...
Actual journalism. From the Guardian, no less.
Don’t worry, President Barack Obama will fix everything all over the world!
Who do they think they are? Chicago? (or Philadelphia or Boston or Seattle or ... )
LoL. Funny headline of the day so far
Wow big suprise. The death of democracy in Russia is nearly complete. I am going to grab a big tub of popcorn when China moves on Siberia.
Miedvedief is going to win going away. Learn how to say the name so you can mock TV news anchorpersons.
A shocker.
Barack can’t pronounce Medvedev and Hillary doesn’t know his name.
Stalin said the people that vote decide nothing. The people that count the votes decide everything.
So, do they want Hillary in?
I am so tired of stories about Hillary's plans to steal the election.
Now she's getting outside help.
Don't forget Milwaukee, Detroit, and Baltimore. This Putin joker obviously thinks he's a Dick Daly, a Fast Eddie Rendell, a Donna Brazile, maybe even a Loretta Sanchez! Why if I had these people on my team, my beagle could become the next Czar of all the Russias and Putin's man wouldn't get appointed dogcatcher.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Please. He can win only because Putin says he should win. If Putin had chosen Ivanov as his successor, then people would have done as they told and elected Ivanov.
They don’t want a win. They want a crushing referendum. And they’re going to fire any government workers that don’t help them achieve that goal.
But, wait... doesn’t Russia have a “secret” ballot?
"But, wait... doesnt Russia have a secret ballot?"In one of the Russian blogs on LiveJournal last fall there was a story about how the employer during a meeting has asked how many had camera cellphones. Most of the people in the room raised their hands. Than the direction from the management was to snap a picture of the ballot with while holding out your ID next to it, clearly visible and bring it in for the next meeting after the elections. Those who raised their hands, but failed to provide the right kind shots were explicitly threatened to be fired.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.