and when parties have to report it. this is one of the many problems that we have in our system. it appears to be born out of historical reasons rather than anything else. we do have, for what is supposed to be a very transparent system, quite a complicated one in which there are various different registers updated at various different points. the electoral commission s register is only updated every quarter and i think this story has sort of renewed questions about whether that s really appropriate in this day and age when websites can be updated at the drop of a hat. that was the conservative party response so far when it came to frank hester s donations, that they have reported everything that needed to be reported in the public sphere. you have looked into this closely, could you tell us how big a donor frank hester is, how important he is to the tory party s treasure chest, essentially? sure, i would say first of all, for many people, even political obsessives and conser
would disagree and would say that this poll is neither free nor fair nor transparent. vladimir putin does not face a major challenge. there are three other candidates on the ballot paper, but his most vocal critics, his fiercest opponents, are either in exile or in prison, which kind of helps you to win what we expect to be a landslide. there have been reports that public service workers have been strongly encouraged to come out today on day one of this election, to cast their votes. i mean, there are so many things to say about this election. vladimir putin dominates the airwaves, dominates the screens, on russian television, much more than any other candidate. so it will be no surprise, i think, when he is eventually declared the winner. here in the uk, the conservatives are under fresh pressure over ties to a party donor at the centre of a racism row. the party has refused to confirm, or deny, reports that the donor has reportedly given more money to the party, than was kn
some pictures live from a polling station in moscow. now, there is the potential for a run off vote if no candidate wins more than 50% in the first round. but with many of mr putin s opponents unable to run, it seems inevitable that vladimir putin will be re elected without the need for that second ballot. our russia editor, steve rosenberg, is following developments in moscow. vladimir putin has been in power a long time, right, 25 years almost as president or prime minister. and he s expected to win a fifth presidential term. now, this whole event, this three day event, which starts today, is being presented by the russian authorities almost as a celebration of democracy. the kremlin just a few days ago described russian democracy as the best democracy in the world. critics of the kremlin would disagree and would say that this poll is neither free nor fair nor transparent. vladimir putin does not face a major challenge. there are three other candidates on the ballot paper,
for the quadruple. it is quite different. if it is always like this, the team up with a higher quality shows good attitude, what we did, it will be tricky. where is the chance? the long time in my life, i ve worked for smaller clubs, so you can win games but you need a little bit of help from the apartment, we didn t give any help. we showed at the top, top, top attitude, so it was difficult. elsewhere, bayer leverkusen remarkable unbeaten season goes on but only after a dramatic finish in their second leg against qarabag. the german side were trailing 2 1 but then scored twice in stoppage time to win 3 2 on the night and 5 4 on aggregate. the win extends leverkusen s unbeaten run to 37 matches in all competitions this season. not such a good night for fellow german side freiburg as they lost 5 0 at west ham in their second leg whilst ac milan comfortably beat slavia prague. fellow italian side atalanta beat sporting lisbon whilst roma lost at brighton but still progr
if no candidate wins more than 50% in the first round. but with many of mr putin s opponents unable to run, it seems inevitable that vladimir putin will be re elected without the need for that second ballot. our russia editor, steve rosenberg, is following developments in moscow. vladimir putin has been in power a long time, right, 25 years almost as president or prime minister. and he s expected to win a fifth presidential term. now, this whole event, this three day event, which starts today, is being presented by the russian authorities almost as a celebration of democracy. the kremlin just a few days ago described russian democracy as the best democracy in the world. critics of the kremlin would disagree and would say that this poll is neither free nor fair nor transparent. vladimir putin does not face a major challenge. there are three other candidates on the ballot paper, but his most vocal critics, his fiercest opponents, are either in exile or in prison, which kind of