The Pseudoelection

As the Russian elections get closer and closer, the true integrity has been greatly reduced. From the banning of Kasyanov, to the reduction of to the opposition being made up of radical or unknown figures, the election can hardly be called "fair."

The excuse of the Central Election Commission for not registering Mr Kasyanov is that 13% of the 2m signatures supporting his candidacy were invalid. Gathering so many signatures in a few weeks, as the rules demand of an independent candidate, is nearly impossible. But the joke is that the commission still registered Andrei Bogdanov, whose unknown Democratic Party took only 90,000 votes in December's parliamentary election.

Now, "Mr. Medvedev talk[s] of the importance of pluralism, freedom and justice. Property rights and free media were essential to building democracy. And Russia must follow the rule of law."

Mr Medvedev will become Russia's president after March 2nd, but may well not be
in charge. Indeed, a paradox is that despite its pre-determined result, the
election will not do its main job: the transfer of power from one person to
another. In this, as in other ways, it can hardly be called an election at all.

To read the story in its entirety, click here.

This article demostrates just how Putin has "arranged" for things to go as he planned. Starting with Medvedev having the highest percentage of support simply because of his willingness to hand over power. Although the author of this article had a bent against Putin and the coming elections, they porduced very good points that makes one question the validity of the process in Russia.

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