NOTE TO STUDENTS: Before answering the questions, read the information under "Background" and watch the video under "Resources."

1.  Explain the meaning of the first paragraph of the article.

2.  Election monitoring is the observation of an election by one or more independent parties, typically from another country or a non-governmental organization (NGO). Monitors do not directly prevent electoral fraud, but rather record and report such instances.
What accusations have the election observers of Sunday's presidential election in Russia made about the results?

3.  a) What percent of the votes did Vladimir Putin win?
b)  How many election violations were alleged to have taken place?

4.  What did President Putin, and then his campaign manager say about the integrity of the election?

5.  a) What charge did opposition leaders make about the election results?
b)  What action are they taking following this accusation?

6.  Explain how Putin's supporters commit election fraud, according to independent observers.

7.  Russians opposed to the election fraud committed by Putin and his party in the legislative elections in Dec. 2011 and the presidential election this week have staged large protests.  They are also protesting today.  Do you think such large protests will have any effect on Putin's election?  Explain your answer.
(Pay attention to news from Russia for the next week or so to see what the outcome of the protests is.)