Last weeks, the independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta held elections for a virtual parliament of internet users. Over 400 candidates were nominated. Initially the election proceeded normally, but then false votes began pouring in for Vladimir Putin, disrupting the results. The newspaper's team eliminated the fake votes and published an updated shortlist with Mikhail Khodorkovsky in 4th place and Putin in 8th. However, the site was then hacked and crashed before the second round could be completed. The newspaper plans to restart the election soon.

1. Situation in “NG” (April 2011)
Last weeks we were witnesses to dramatic events: the war against democratic forces of
the “Novaya Gazeta”. They decided to make an election to virtual Parliament inter users of
Internet. At first they suggested to nominate the candidates. Everybody could do it. It was
possible to propose even yourself. The list of 419 different persons was created.
They wanted the election would have two steps: the first – making short-list about
from 100 persons. The second choose 15 from the short-list.
These15 would be virtual Parliament, the conscience of nation. You did not had to
register. Every computer was to have one voice.
As for me it was a great idea. They had made an easy interface. Everybody could
observe how the election are going.
At first all was normal, true, the first places were occupied by bloggers. I don’t know
them at all as I don’t have any blog because I haven’t something new to tell to world. Many
people haven't heard about them too.
I was interested in Khodorkovsky. He had got enough voices, much more then Putin.
But situation turned out more difficult then it seemed for me than. Suddenly Putin began to
gather voices very fast. It was obvious that this votes were false. I was very disgusted.
There is a story about tsar Midas, who had a fatal gift, everything he would touch,
turned to gold. There are people who have the same gift, but with another substance. But the
team of the newspaper proved out up to the mark and the next issue contained some materials
about this.
They had written the site was attacked by hackers, the specialists from "NG" were able
to eliminate the false votes and real result sorted in decreasing order was published.
The published short-list was cleared from false voices and contained 125 persons.
Chodorkovsky had the 4-nd place, but Putin 8-nd.
After that began the second step but it wasn’t finished as site again was attacked and
crashed down.
Site couldn’t be opened for two days. Now it works and the team of NG is going to
continue election soon.
Let see who will be selected into virtual Parliament and how they will be able to work
together.