RUSSIA: Communist party leader Gennady Zyuganov casts vote in parliamentary elections
Record ID:
327637
RUSSIA: Communist party leader Gennady Zyuganov casts vote in parliamentary elections
- Title: RUSSIA: Communist party leader Gennady Zyuganov casts vote in parliamentary elections
- Date: 5th December 2011
- Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (DECEMBER 4, 2011) (REUTERS) STATUE OUTSIDE POLLING STATION VARIOUS OF VOTERS REGISTERING TO VOTE WOMAN CASTING BALLOT BALLOT PAPER ON BALLOT BOX WOMEN CASTING BALLOTS VARIOUS AS COMMUNIST PARTY LEADER GENNADY ZYUGANOV REGISTERS TO VOTE POLLING STATION SIGN ON DESK ZYUGANOV CASTS BALLOT (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) COMMUNIST PARTY LEADER GENNADY ZYUGANOV SAYING "Overall things are good though I have been talking to our people in the Far East and Siberian regions and the situation is quite tense. Our observers are working according to the rules and will uphold proper, honest elections. In point of fact they are voting not just for themselves but also for the destiny of their children and grandchildren, they are voting for a minimum of ten years so the stakes are high in these elections. We hope the situation stays within the framework of the law." VARIOUS OF ELECTION OFFICIALS WOMAN VOTING EXTERIOR OF POLLING STATION (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) NINA IVANOVNA SAYING "I have lived through a lot, and I came and voted with great pleasure, I came early and I have been walking about here. I voted for the Patriots of Russia. (REPORTER ASKS WHY?) Why? Because they say this lot have already lied so much, so I decided to vote for someone higher (with higher ideals) in the hope they would be more honourable." (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) NATASHA SAYING "I voted with pleasure for United Russia. Why? Because I want peace in the country, not this conflict." STATUES IN SQUARE OUTSIDE POLLING STATION.
- Embargoed: 20th December 2011 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Russian Federation
- Country: Russia
- Topics: Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA5MBW23JETCO9HLLE5S6HU1V9
- Story Text: Communist party leader Gennady Zyuganov cast his vote in parliamentary elections on Sunday (December 4) that are widely seen as a test for Vladimir Putin's ruling party.
If United Russia, which has dominated the State Duma lower house since 2003, does not retain its two-thirds majority, the biggest gainers could be the Communist Party, which is likely to remain the second biggest force.
Zyuganov expressed his hope for a fair election.
"Overall things are good though I have been talking to our people in the Far East and Siberian regions and the situation is quite tense. Our observers are working according to the rules and will uphold proper, honest elections. In point of fact they are voting not just for themselves but also for the destiny of their children and grandchildren, they are voting for a minimum of ten years so the stakes are high in these elections. We hope the situation stays within the framework of the law," Zyuganov said.
Russia's ruling United Russia party, headed by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin could see its vast parliamentary majority cut back in an election that will indicate the scope of fatigue with Putin's 12-year rule just three months before he asks voters to endorse his return to the Kremlin as president.
Some voters at the Moscow polling station said they voted for neither the Communists or United Russia
"I have lived through a lot, and I came and voted with great pleasure, I came early and I have been walking about here. I voted for the Patriots of Russia. Why? Because they say this lot have already lied so much, so I decided to vote for someone higher (with higher ideals) in the hope they would be more honourable," Nina Ivanovna told Reuters.
"I voted with pleasure for United Russia. Why? Because I want peace in the country, not this conflict," another voter, Natasha said.
Polls show Putin's party is likely to win a majority but less than the 315 seats it currently has in the 450-seat lower house of parliament, known as the Duma. If it gets less than two-thirds of seats, Putin's party would be stripped of its so called constitutional majority which allows it to change the constitution and even approve the impeachment of the president.
Opposition parties say the election is unfair because the authorities support United Russia with cash and television air time while they say vote rigging will be employed to boost United Russia's result. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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