Joseph Stalin, the old Soviet ruler, is reputed to have once remarked jokingly that "it does not matter how the people vote; it only matters who counts their votes".
The people of Russia going to the voting booths in less than a week's time to elect their president are no longer likely to be treated in such a dismissive manner; nobody will be watching over their shoulders, and their ballots will - on the whole - be properly counted.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Want more exclusives, sharp insights into what's happening at home and abroad? Subscribe to stay informed.
No contract
$0.99/month for the first 3 months, $9.90/month thereafter. T&Cs apply.
All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com
Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device
2-week e-paper archive so you never miss out on any topic that matters to you
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 13, 2018, with the headline In Russia, an election like no other. Subscribe