Kremlin hopes to fight voter apathy with selfies

THE Kremlin has told regional authorities to award iphones for the best polling station selfies in an attempt to raise the turnout for Vladimir Putin’s fourth election.

A presentation from the presidential administration, seen by the RBC newspaper, calls on regions to hold “Election Photo” contests during the March ballot to “mobilise voters of 18-39 years of age” and “create a positive backdrop and holiday atmosphere at polling places”. According to the plan, volunteers will help voters take selfies at polling stations and upload the shots to Instagram or VK, Russia’s biggest social network, with a contest hashtag.

The newspaper quoted two sources close to the Kremlin as saying the prizes will be iphones and ipads paid for by the regions.

The presidential administration has also suggested voting places have games for parents and children, like guessing a word or kicking a goal. With approval ratings above 80 per cent, Mr Putin will almost certainly win the election.

However, since another six-year term is virtually guaranteed, fewer Russians see a reason to go to the polls.

A turnout lower than the 65 per cent achieved in 2012 could call the president’s legitimacy into question.

Sergei Kiriyenko, first deputy head of the presidential administration, said last month that the “main candidate” – a clear reference to Mr Putin – should win 70 per cent of the vote with a turnout of 70 per cent, RBC reported.