India, March 19 -- The enigmatic Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has a reputation for having a tight hold on power. Beneath the surface of power, meanwhile, is a convoluted web of manoeuvres designed to validate his administration via elections. Putin has consolidated his control and maintained the impression of popular support despite criticism for being an authoritarian and charges of electoral manipulation. A case in point is the latest crowding of polling stations by Russian nationals as a way of protest during the three-day voting which ended on Sunday. Manipulation of electoral laws and institutions is seemingly one of Putin's most favoured instruments. The Russian leadership has put policies into place over time that essentially...