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In Russia, an election like no other

With Putin's win a given, what matters is only the share of the vote in his favour and the turnout rate

Campaign activists verifying signatures in support of Mr Putin as a candidate at his election campaign office in Moscow in January. On display at the SUPERPUTIN exhibition in Moscow's UMAM museum is this painting depicting "superhero" Russian Preside — Supporters of communist parties and movements holding flags bearing the image of Joseph Stalin as they attend a memorial ceremony at Moscow’s Red Square to mark the 65th anniversary of the Soviet leader’s death.PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Campaign activists verifying signatures in support of Mr Putin as a candidate at his election campaign office in Moscow in January. On display at the SUPERPUTIN exhibition in Moscow's UMAM museum is this painting depicting "superhero" Russian Preside — Attendees waving Russian national flags and a banner reading “The Future With Putin” during a pre-election rally in Moscow.PHOTO: BLOOMBERG

Campaign activists verifying signatures in support of Mr Putin as a candidate at his election campaign office in Moscow in January. On display at the SUPERPUTIN exhibition in Moscow's UMAM museum is this painting depicting "superhero" Russian Preside — On display at the SUPERPUTIN exhibition in Moscow’s UMAM museum is this painting depicting “superhero” Russian President Vladimir Putin.PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Campaign activists verifying signatures in support of Mr Putin as a candidate at his election campaign office in Moscow in January. On display at the SUPERPUTIN exhibition in Moscow's UMAM museum is this painting depicting "superhero" Russian Preside — Supporters of opposition figure Alexei Navalny at a rally calling for a boycott of the presidential election, following the rejection of Mr Navalny’s bid to enter the contest. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Campaign activists verifying signatures in support of Mr Putin as a candidate at his election campaign office in Moscow in January. On display at the SUPERPUTIN exhibition in Moscow's UMAM museum is this painting depicting "superhero" Russian Preside — Campaign activists verifying signatures in support of Mr Putin as a candidate at his election campaign office in Moscow in January. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Campaign activists verifying signatures in support of Mr Putin as a candidate at his election campaign office in Moscow in January. On display at the SUPERPUTIN exhibition in Moscow's UMAM museum is this painting depicting "superhero" Russian Preside — Video footage from Mr Putin’s official website showing the launch of a Sarmat strategic missile.PHOTO: EPA-EFE

Vladimir Putin — Vladimir PutinPHOTO: EPA-EFE

PAVEL GRUDININ , 57 (Communist Party): His anti-corruption stance and pledge to fix bad roads have earned him a strong following. — PAVEL GRUDININ , 57 (Communist Party): His anti-corruption stance and pledge to fix bad roads have earned him a strong following.PHOTO: REUTERS

KSENIA SOBCHAK, 36 (Civil Initiative): She is the first woman to contest the presidency in 14 years and the youngest candidate since 2004. — KSENIA SOBCHAK, 36 (Civil Initiative): She is the first woman to contest the presidency in 14 years and the youngest candidate since 2004.PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

VLADIMIR ZHIRINOVSKY, 71 (Liberal Democratic Party): This is the fifth time he is running for president since the Soviet Union broke up. The ultra nationalist has promised a “brutal dictatorship”. — VLADIMIR ZHIRINOVSKY, 71 (Liberal Democratic Party): This is the fifth time he is running for president since the Soviet Union broke up. The ultra nationalist has promised a “brutal dictatorship”.PHOTO: EPA-EFE

GRIGORY YAVLINSKY, 65 (Yabloko): He has been delivering fierce public criticism of Mr Putin’s policies towards Ukraine. — GRIGORY YAVLINSKY, 65 (Yabloko): He has been delivering fierce public criticism of Mr Putin’s policies towards Ukraine.PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Jonathan Eyal Europe Correspondent In London

Published:

Mar 13, 2018, 5:00 am SGT

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.

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