Polls open in Russias capital for parliamentary elections

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Polls open in Russias capital for parliamentary elections

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Residents of Russia's capital come to polls to cast their vote in parliamentary elections.

04 December,2011 11:59 am

Voters in Moscow went to the polls on Sunday in parliamentary elections Russians vote in parliamentary elections widely seen as a test for Vladimir Putins popularityVladimir Putins ruling party could see its vast parliamentary majority cut back in the poll, ahead of an expected return to the presidency early next year. He remains by far the most popular politician in the country but there are signs Russians may be wearying of a cultivated strong man image.Opinion polls show Putins 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.Supporters say Putin, a former-KGB spy saved Russia during his presidency from the chaos of the immediate post-Soviet era and supplied the longest and steepest economic expansion in a generation. He also used military force to crush a rebellion in the southern Muslim region of Chechnya that tested the fabric of a federation spanning 9,000 Km (5,600 miles).We dont expect anything from the elections, but I hope for order. Its a difficult time but we need order, I hope for order. I think the people want order as well, said pensioner Sergei who was among the first people to cast their ballots early after polling stations opened in the Russian capital. He declined to say who he had voted for. I would like everyone, no matter who they vote for, to have a better life, so that everyone has a better life here in our country, said Moscow resident Tamara, after voting.If Putins party gets less than two-thirds of seats, it would be stripped of its so called constitutional majority which allows it to change the constitution and even approve the impeachment of the president.