You are referring to several precincts. You are not referring to a city-wide or region wide vote.
Granted. But that shows how easy its to fake the numbers. When the outcome is not even in doubt.
There is a greater chance of electoral chicanery when you know you’re going to lose. But if you’re going to win any way, padding the numbers ought to be pointless.
Let’s stipulate that clean, Western style elections are a rarity in that part of the world. After a generation, some of the habits of the Soviet period are hard to unlearn.
Human nature however, remains predictable.