Authorities coerce Russian voters: civic groups

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian authorities are using coercion to persuade people to vote in Sunday's presidential election, a coalition of civil society groups said on Thursday.

President Vladimir Putin's preferred candidate, Dmitry Medvedev, is expected to win Sunday's vote, described by the opposition as unfair and one-sided, by a wide margin.

Germany-based Transparency International and two Russian civic groups compared the election to a virtual coronation of Putin's protege.

"This is not an election where people elect, it's not a matter of choice," said Yelena Pamfilova, head of Transparency International in Russia. "Everything has been pre-decided."

Putin's endorsement effectively ensured Medvedev's win against weaker rivals, critics say. Opposition challengers have either been denied registration or refused to run in protest.

"I'm quite sure the Kremlin is using what it calls the verticals (of power), working through the regional governors and mayors," said Viktor Vakhshtain of the independent Russian observation group Golos.

"They will talk to the heads of hospitals and schools and other civil groups to make sure they pass on the message to their doctors, nurses and teachers that if they don't vote for the right person they may not have a job in a few months."

Officials have denied the election is biased. Many Russians credit Putin's government for restoring national pride and wealth after the chaotic post-Soviet 1990s.

"This (criticism) is part of an international policy, part of activities directed against the Russian Federation," said Central Election Commission chief Vladimir Churov.

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Opinion polls give Medvedev around 70 percent of the vote.

Medvedev has asked Putin to be his prime minister and has vowed to follow Putin's policies. Putin is hugely popular in Russia which has grown rich from energy exports during his eight years in power.

Medvedev has declined to take part in televised debates and has largely ignored campaigning, saying he is too busy working.

Figures released by Russia's Centre of Journalists in Extreme Situations on Thursday showed main television channels were giving Medvedev only positive blanket coverage.

"State broadcasters failed comprehensively to meet legal obligations to create equal conditions for all candidates by demonstrating clear bias in favor of Dmitry Medvedev both in tone and the amount of devoted coverage," the centre said.

Television pictures have slavishly filmed Medvedev, currently First Deputy Prime Minister, following Putin around the country, delivering positive economic data and jetting off to Europe on state visits.

"He should not be allowed to do that," Transparency International's Pamfilova said. "He should break from his work and campaign as usual, in a free and fair election."

To ensure a high turnout, mobile phone firms send text messages to subscribers reminding them to vote and adverts lining Moscow's grey streets urge people to vote "for Russia's future".

Golos said a lax voter registration system -- voters can turn up at any local polling station with their passport and vote -- could allow people to cast their ballots more than once.

Polling stations also planned to hold lotteries to encourage turnout, Golos reported, where voters can win plasma TVs, digital cameras and DVDs.

For more on Russia's presidential election, please see our blog "Operation Successor" at blogs.reuters.com/russia.

(Editing by Robert Woodward)