99 % turnout ? Think again...

**cegorach** · 01-11-2008, 21:21

A bit old, new news, but maybe someone will be interested.

Its about the latest elections in Russia where official turnout was often ridiculously high - 99 % in Chechenya...

At least recently somene cared to check the official results in caucasian Ingushetia.

Officially 99 % turned out to be less than 45,5 %...

It was checked by volunteers in this (sorry, in Russian) action 'I didn't vote !' where every able to vote person was asked if he/she voted during the elections.

To 9 January, 19.00 circa 87 000 people ( 54,5 %) confirmed that they didn't vote by signing a survey.

Actually, you might wander why do I bother to write that at all.
Honestly I have no idea - every thinking person already guessed that, but it is a nice thing someone actually bothered to ask those people and to honour those tough (wintertime in Caucasus - try that !) fellows it is the least I can do - to spread the word to those who care to read my usual ranting...

So if you want to use this as an example, you have my blessing.

The worst thing is that it actually didn't matter - nobody really cares in Russia and it wouldn't change a thing if the elections were crystal clear...
In a spin doctor's wet dream which is nowadays Russian politics there is no real competition for votes, at least not of any importance if all parties represent the ruling camp.

Still you got to admit it is amazing how much the authorities push to show better statistics and leave no, even smallest margin to anything undermining 'the great success' the official turnout and result was.

**LittleGrizzly** · 01-11-2008, 21:48

I have never understood making figures stupidly high, why not go for a more realistic figure ?

**CountArach** · 01-12-2008, 00:35

Originally Posted by LittleGrizzly

I have never understood making figures stupidly high, why not go for a more realistic figure ?

I agree, if you are going to fake an election, at least make your faked results much more believable.

**Ronin** · 01-12-2008, 00:43

what?...you mean those results weren´t real?...

SAY IT ISN`T SO!!!!

I think it has to come out of this...these guys look at the situation and think..."well...we can basically say anything...what´s anyone gonna do about it?...Let´s go hog wild!!!....yeah put 99% down on the results!"

**Vladimir** · 01-12-2008, 00:57

Originally Posted by LittleGrizzly

I have never understood making figures stupidly high, why not go for a more realistic figure ?

Agreed! 99% always means fraud.

**woad&fangs** · 01-12-2008, 01:17

Maybe Putin was trying to show off his power by obviously rigging the elections? He's to clever to do something that stupid on accident.

**CountArach** · 01-12-2008, 02:00

Originally Posted by woad&fangs

Maybe Putin was trying to show off his power by obviously rigging the elections? He's to clever to do something that stupid on accident.

~~Maybe~~ he was drunk?

**LittleGrizzly** · 01-12-2008, 02:59

If your going to show off get 100% and then go around critisizing other demcracys for thier apathy.

**CrossLOPER** · 01-12-2008, 04:21

Eh, I'm going to research this myself later on. Although I am wary of conspiracy theories, this seems absurd.

**CountArach** · 01-12-2008, 05:06

Originally Posted by CrossLOPER

Eh, I'm going to research this myself later on. Although I am wary of conspiracy theories, this seems absurd.

I think it is absurd to claim that 99% of people did turn up. Even here in Australia with Compulsory Voting we get about 95%.

**cegorach** · 01-12-2008, 10:44

Amazingly there are people who know how rig elections in far more careful way - for example Lukashenko - the Belorussian dictator - he never got any 99 % anywhere, though all elections remain a joke out there.

In Russia we have a situation of overzealous subordinates trying to impress their bosses. Because governors and local leaders in autonomous regions are appointed by Kremlin (officially or not) it is quite likely to happen, but on the other hand means the control or imagination of the authorities isn't so tight - all those 99 % in caucasian republics and surely elsewhere mean exacly this.

LittleGrizzly

If your going to show off get 100% and then go around critisizing other demcracys for thier apathy.

Last spreing in local elections in Russian Dagestan (Caucasus autonomic region known for violent attacks and corruption - larger than in the rest of Russia) it actually was either 100 % turnout or 100 % support - I don't remember.

Still noone can beat old, good buddy Saddam who scored the whooping 100 % support in a plebicite just before the war in 2003.