Russians vote for new president
Voting in St Petersburg: The Kremlin wants a big turnout
Voting is under way in Russia's presidential poll, bringing to a close Vladimir Putin's eight years in office. Polling stations in the Far East opened at 2000 GMT Saturday, in a vote pitting first deputy prime minister Dmitry Medvedev against three challengers.
Mr Medvedev, the Kremlin's preferred candidate, has promised to make Mr Putin his prime minister.
Observers say the poll's outcome is not in doubt and the only question is the turnout in favour of Mr Medvedev.
Mr Putin, hugely popular because of Russia's economic boom, was barred by the constitution from seeking a third term.
In the run-up to the vote Russia's main television channels gave generous coverage to Mr Medvedev, who refused to debate with his rivals. (chicken or clever move?)
Saturday was declared an official "day of silence", with no campaigning allowed across Russia's 11 time zones.
More than 109 million Russians are registered to vote in the elections.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7273130.stm
Russia is HUGE. 8O Eleven time zones!!
There is still a Communist Party to elect!! Amazing!...those guys just don't give up!
I guess not much will change which is o.k. with me. Putin was needed to curb the corrupt oligarchs for one!!
Voting is under way in Russia's presidential poll, bringing to a close Vladimir Putin's eight years in office. Polling stations in the Far East opened at 2000 GMT Saturday, in a vote pitting first deputy prime minister Dmitry Medvedev against three challengers.
Mr Medvedev, the Kremlin's preferred candidate, has promised to make Mr Putin his prime minister.
Observers say the poll's outcome is not in doubt and the only question is the turnout in favour of Mr Medvedev.
Mr Putin, hugely popular because of Russia's economic boom, was barred by the constitution from seeking a third term.
In the run-up to the vote Russia's main television channels gave generous coverage to Mr Medvedev, who refused to debate with his rivals. (chicken or clever move?)
Saturday was declared an official "day of silence", with no campaigning allowed across Russia's 11 time zones.
More than 109 million Russians are registered to vote in the elections.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7273130.stm
Russia is HUGE. 8O Eleven time zones!!
There is still a Communist Party to elect!! Amazing!...those guys just don't give up!
I guess not much will change which is o.k. with me. Putin was needed to curb the corrupt oligarchs for one!!