Russia entices voters with cars and iPhones in Putin's election bid

Local authorities in Russia are doing everything possible to attract voters to the presidential elections. They are pressuring public sector workers and also encouraging voting by offering free meals or competitions in which participants can win anything from sugar to a car - reports Moscow Times.

The Kremlin aims to achieve a record turnout in the voting, which is expected to result in the re-election of Vladimir Putin - writes Moscow Times. It stresses that pressure is being put on public sector workers and companies linked to state structures to participate in the elections.

Authorities are also trying to entice residents with free lunches, concert tickets, and lotteries where they can win a packet of sugar, but also a new car.

As Moscow Times reports, in the Altai Territory, election participants will be able to win sanctioned iPhone 15s or Dyson brand hair styling products. People who post a selfie from the polling station online can participate in the lottery.

In the Sverdlovsk Oblast, the election features prizes such as 2,000 Chinese smartphones, 45 apartments, 20 motorcycles, and 100 cars manufactured by the Moskvich plants.

Many events announced by local authorities are set to begin at noon on Sunday. At the same time, colleagues of the deceased opposition leader Alexei Navalny have announced a protest action "Noon against Putin".