Candidates gear up for presidential polls

MOSCOW: With a week before the presidential election, the main contendersfor the top Kremlin post have geared up their campaign to the hig...

MOSCOW: With a week before the presidential election, the main contendersfor the top Kremlin post have geared up their campaign to the highest pitch,visiting the far-flung Russia’s regions, although there is no visible hypein the Russian media.

In the attempt to woo the voters, Acting President Vladimir Putin, a sternspymaster, has turned a baby-kisser overnight, stiff and stoic Communistleader Gennady Zyuganov is flirting with youths in the Russia’s “RedBelts” and maverick ultranationalist Vladimir is dancing with gypsies inMoscow.

According to media reports, Putin has distributed about $ 1 million worth ofgifts since he assumed presidential powers. During his visit to regions, hehas given away ambulances and money to the military hospitals, apartmentcertificates to the military, autographed watches and portable televisionsets to soldiers.

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Putin is a hot favourite to win the race, mainly with military and securityservices offering a solid vote bank. About 1.2 million men and women servein the military, with thousands more in the Interior Ministry troops andintelligence services.

Putin’s spokesman has denied that his trips to the regions in recent weeksare connected to the election campaign, saying they are part of his workingschedule.

Putin has refused to use his free air-time, allotted by the Russia’s CentralElection Commission, in the run up to the election, comparing politicalcampaigning on television to advertising household goods. Russia’spresidential candidates should “prove they are capable through actions,”he said.