Battle of young versus old in Russian elections

By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat

MOSCOW (JP): Today's election in Russia has been dubbed by many as pitting one economic system against the other. However, it is just as much an election of the young versus the old as it is of communism versus capitalism.

For many observers here, the lines of demarcation are quite clear. The two leading candidates -- Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov and incumbent Boris Yeltsin -- seem to attract two opposite ends of the age bracket.

Of the estimated 106 million eligible voters going to the polls today, some 25 million to 30 million are pensioners: people who have been disenfranchised by the wave of Yeltsin's economic reforms.

For them, the new Russia has taken away much of the social security and welfare afforded under the old Soviet regime.

Russia's embarkation under Yeltsin into a market economy system has been painful. Statistics show a sharp drop in both the gross national product and in industrial production. As a result, the state has often had to defer its welfare support, including pension payments, sometimes for several months at a time.

Along with disenchanted farmers in the rural areas and devout nationalists of the bygone Soviet Union, these people form the backbone of Zyuganov's support.

They are not necessarily communists at heart, but people ostracized by the benefits of economic reform, who cherish the security and comfort guaranteed under a strong state system.

While Zyuganov seems to base his campaign on the dissatisfaction towards the reforms, Yeltsin has been playing on the fears of a communist resurgence and the loss of personal freedom.

Using rock musicians and film stars, Yeltsin's campaign has been directed at the young and Russia's growing middle and affluent classes.

During an election rock concert attended by thousands of people on Thursday and Friday, Yeltsin told the predominantly young crowd that if they wanted to continue living the way they are now accustomed to, they should vote for him.

Alexander Shadura, a student at the state Moscow University, explained why so many of his generation are favoring Yeltsin.

"We can do anything we want now. We can go anywhere. Read anything we want. Be anything," said Alexander of Russia's new- found freedoms.

Though admittedly he may be too young to have truly felt the weight of communist times, Alexander fears that what he now takes for granted will be lost in a communist victory.

"Zyuganov is not so bad. It's the people behind him who are dangerous," he said. He added that for those who do not wish a return of the old ways, Yeltsin is the only realistic choice.

Like many of his generation, Alexander cannot imagine what will happen if Zyuganov wins.

The latest opinion polls conducted by the Russian Segodya daily on Thursday showed Yeltsin with 36 percent of the polls. Zyuganov received 24 percent.

Nobody, however, is willing to bank on opinion polls in Russia, which are known to be notoriously inaccurate in predicting electoral results.

About 93,000 polling stations will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. today across the enormous Russian landscape, which spans 11 time zones.

While sailors, on-duty military personnel and those in the remotest regions have been allowed to cast their votes several days in advance, the official counting of the ballots will not begin until the close of the westernmost polling station.

A candidate must receive a majority of the vote to be declared the winner. If a majority is not acquired, then the top two candidates will enter a run-off for the presidency.

More and more people here are predicting that a run-off election will be necessary, taking place early next month.

While people debate on the election's outcome, another menace dampening the event has heightened security around Moscow.

At various strategic locations -- the airport, train and metro stations -- soldiers and police can be seen checking people's ID's.

After a bomb explosion which killed four people at a metro station here on Tuesday, the city has brought in reinforcements to ensure safe proceedings.

Metro stations are often "swept" for possible explosives, as soldiers frequently slouch while searching under passenger seats and checking suspicious packages.

Police will be guarding polling stations 24 hours a day, with an added 5,000 troops to help guard the city's 264 polling booths.

Across the country, about 500,000 soldiers have also been ordered to guard polling stations against possible disturbances.