Russians are voting in a series of elections to elect governors, regional assemblies, mayors and local councillors.<br /><br />As many as 75 million people are eligible to vote.However, political commentators believe turnout will be low with the liberal parties under pressure following a surge of patriotic fervor in the wake of events in Ukraine.<br /><br />Voters in parts of recently annexed Crimea and Sevastopol are also heading for the ballot box.<br /><br />In Simferpol, formally part of Ukraine, the electorate appeared eager to vote:<br /><br />“I have come here early to vote before I go to work. I have a feeling of joy. We want the new life, a better life,” said one woman.<br /><br />There is growing pessimism amongst opposition parties as power becomes ever more concentrated in Putin’s United Russia and political dissent falls out of earshot.
