By Laurie Baron
SAN DIEGO — Vladimir Putin won 87.3 % of the votes cast in the Russian presidential election. But there are telltale signs that the Russian election was rigged like:
When Russian media calls the election for Putin before the polls open.
When trap doors open in voting booths located in the upper floors of high-rise buildings for anyone who selects a candidate other than Putin.
When the lever for opposition candidates is connected to the trigger of a rifle aimed at any voters in occupied parts of Ukraine who dare to pull it.
When the box for opposition candidates on touch screen ballots is coated with Novichok.
When free bottles of Putin’s brand of vodka, Putinka, are handed out to Russians standing in line to vote. (Incidentally, this would be illegal in Georgia).
When photos of Navalny’s corpse are posted on the walls and curtains of voting booths.
When television monitors at voting centers play a loop video of Tucker Carlson’s interview of Putin.
When the percentage of votes Nikki Haley garnered in the early primaries is higher than the cumulative vote of the candidates running against Putin.
On the other hand, this is what Donald Trump would call election integrity presided over by the world’s second greatest leader.
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Baron is professor emeritus at San Diego State University. He may be contacted via Lawrence.baron@sdjewishworld.com