CNN - Disgruntled eastern Russians take beliefs to ballot box

Disgruntled eastern Russians take beliefs to ballot box

June 16, 1996
Web posted at: 12:55 p.m. EDT (1755 GMT)

From CNN Correspondent Siobhan Darrow

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia (CNN) -- In the early morning mist, residents of this seaport town in Russia's Far East flocked to church on election day. Many believe the fate of its country lies in God's hands.

But just in case, 73-year-old Marya went to the polling booth.

"The Communists weren't so bad," she said. "We need to take the good things -- the order. They may not have allowed religion, but they've changed now."

Marya forgives the Communists for suppression of religion and prefers to remember the security of the past.

Life is hard. I work three jobs.
Still, I'm voting for Yeltsin."

-- One voter

Others weren't so forgiving.

"I'm for Yeltsin. We either go forward or backward to the past. Yeltsin for me means the future," one man said.

Voters in Vladivostok and other eastern Russian regions were the first to cast ballots in Sunday's pivotal vote -- some nine hours ahead of Moscow time.

In the past, Vladivostok voters haven't been kind to incumbent President Boris Yeltsin: It's traditionally been a Communist hotbed. The area is home to many disgruntled Russians hit hard by democratic reforms: unpaid miners, demoralized sailors, Communist elders and unemployed defense workers.

Early indications from the Yeltsin camp show Communist rival Gennady Zyuganov gaining much of the vote in the area as expected.

"The Communists weren't so bad."

-- Marya

"It's getting worse and worse. Everything was fine when they kept the city closed. It was nice and clean. Now it's a disaster," one man said.

Yeltsin's supporters, however, remain optimistic for a better future despite the current rough times.

"Life is hard. I work three jobs. Still, I'm voting for Yeltsin," one woman said. "He started reforms and should continue. I believe in him and a better future."

Even a one-time local Communist Party boss named Tatiana said she'll vote for Yeltsin, saying she supports him rather than more change.

"We don't need more upheaval," she said. "Yeltsin made a lot of mistakes but let him finish."

Pivotal Elections: Russia

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Disgruntled eastern Russians take beliefs to ballot box

Life is hard. I work three jobs. Still, I'm voting for Yeltsin."

"The Communists weren't so bad."

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Life is hard. I work three jobs.
Still, I'm voting for Yeltsin."