World / Europe Russians are ‘being forced to vote’ to save Putin the humiliation of a low turnout BL PREMIUM

Ust-Djeguta, Russia — Russians voted in a presidential election on Sunday that was expected to give Vladimir Putin an easy victory, but his opponents alleged officials were compelling people to come to the polls so a low turnout did not tarnish the win. Opinion polls give Putin, the incumbent, support of about 70%, nearly 10 times the backing of his nearest challenger. Another term will take him to nearly a quarter of a century in power, a longevity among Kremlin leaders second only to Soviet dictator Josef Stalin. Many voters credit Putin, a 65-year-old former KGB spy, with standing up for Russia’s interests in what they view as a hostile outside world. Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea region, alleged Kremlin meddling in the US presidential election and Moscow’s bombing campaign in Syria have been condemned in the West. But at home, they have only burnished Putin’s reputation as a strong leader. A row with Britain over allegations the Kremlin used a nerve toxin to poison a R...