Read this excellent report in Novaya Gazeta about how the elections in Uzlovaya were rigged. The beginning of the story is "Uzlovaya Russia", and the follow-up is "The Governor’s Entire Host". The investigation is based on materials collected by members of the People’s Alliance party — Dmitry Krainev and Igor Chermoshentsev. Sending them support for what they do. Yesterday, at a People’s Alliance working meeting, they gave a very funny account of how they caught the crooks. Of course, it’s hardly a revelation that the degenerates from United Russia personally organize ballot stuffing and fraud, but it’s always useful to read concrete facts about how “elections” in the regions actually work. Especially for those who like to go on about, “Why doesn’t the opposition just run and win elections in some small town? Little by little, that’s how power will pass into its hands.” Sure, you can run a campaign and persuade people to vote. But after that, it would also be nice to send someone with a plasma gun to eliminate the officials carrying stacks of unaccounted-for ballots
United Russia members, who for some reason sit in on election commission meetings and don’t hesitate to direct them openly:
Local petty thugs brought in to “protect polling stations from lawless observers,” and belonging to well-fed “sports associations”:
Police officers who hand the caught “ballot stuffers” back over to United Russia, and so on. Anyway, give it a read. And once again, thanks to those who aren’t afraid to travel to elections like these and serve as observers. Without any plasma guns.