RUSSIA: Russian troops cast their ballots in the restive North Caucasus to elect a president in an election that Vladimir Putin is widely expected to win
Record ID:
327714
RUSSIA: Russian troops cast their ballots in the restive North Caucasus to elect a president in an election that Vladimir Putin is widely expected to win
- Title: RUSSIA: Russian troops cast their ballots in the restive North Caucasus to elect a president in an election that Vladimir Putin is widely expected to win
- Date: 5th March 2012
- Summary: VLADIKAVKAZ, RUSSIA (MARCH 4, 2012) (REUTERS) TROOPS ENTERING POLLING STATION VARIOUS TROOPS SHOWING DOCUMENTS TO POLLING STATION WORKERS SIGN SHOWING PICTURES OF RUSSIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES VARIOUS TROOPS SHOWING DOCUMENTS TO POLLING STATION WORKERS POLLING STATION WORKER FILLING OUT DOCUMENTS SOLDIER CASTING BALLOT BALLOT BOX WITH BALLOTS TROOPS VOTING TROOPS SHOWING DOCUMENTS TO POLLING STATION WORKERS PEOPLE WALKING ON BASE (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) TANK COMMANDER NIKITA MAVRYCHEV, SAYING: "(REPORTER ASKS 'WHAT DID YOU VOTE FOR?') For a stable, developing Russia. For health and for a healthy nation." TROOPS OUTSIDE BARRACKS (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) DEPUTY COMMANDER OF 19TH INFANTRY BRIGADE VASILY ZAITSEV, SAYING: "Of course (I voted). (REPORTER ASKS 'DO YOU WANT CHANGES?') No, I don't want changes, I want stability." SIGN READING 'MARCH 4 2012 ELECTION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION ' EXTERIOR POLLING STATION
- Embargoed: 20th March 2012 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Russian Federation
- Country: Russia
- Topics: Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA6EF4RWL1Q4DEVWZMTJ7JC0PH5
- Story Text: Russian soldiers in the restive North Caucasus region cast their ballots on Sunday in a presidential election, that many of them say they hope will give Russia stability.
Soldiers stationed at a Russian base near Vladikavkaz cast their ballots in an election that Vladimir Putin is almost certain to win, giving him a third presidential term in an election that opponents say is skewed in his favour.
Many of the soldiers said that they were prioritizing stability in choosing which candidate to vote for.
"For a stable, developing Russia. For health and for a healthy nation," one soldier, tank commander Nikita Mavrychev, answered when asked what he was voting for.
Another military professional, also said he wanted stability.
"Of course (I voted). No, I don't want changes, I want stability," Deputy commander of the 19th infantry brigade told Reuters.
In December's parliamentary election Putin's ruling United Russia party won 99 percent of the vote in the volatile North Caucasus region.
The last major opinion polls before the election showed Putin, who ruled as president from 2000 to 2008 and then as prime minister, was likely to win 59-66 percent of the vote, thus avoiding a runoff that would dent his authority. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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