Putin Deploys Webcams for Poll Watchers

02.03.2012

A vast network of webcams ordered by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin began online testing in polling places across Russia this week, days ahead of what government officials say will be the country's best observed, most transparent election ever.

A live broadcast of Sunday's voting and vote counting at 91,700 polling places is supposed to be available to anyone who registers at www.webvybory2012.ru. The $447 million project was Mr. Putin's answer to large street demonstrations in December demanding clean elections.

But the Russian leader's critics, still wary of fraud to pad his vote total as he tries to return the presidency for a third term, expect the real drama to take place in Big Brother's blind spots.

In packed classrooms in Moscow and other cities, anti-Kremlin forces are preparing a more obtrusive layer of scrutiny. The largest group of independent volunteer poll watchers ever assembled for a Russian election is being trained to look for shenanigans the cameras might miss.