Voters headed to the polls in Russia on Friday for a three-day presidential election that is all but certain to extend President Vladimir Putin’s rule by six more years. Putin faces no real competition in the vote, after two opposition candidates were barred from running. The election takes place amid a clampdown on dissent in the country, which has seen opposition figures and rights advocates imprisoned or exiled. Beyond the fact that voters have been presented with little choice, the possibilities for independent monitoring are very limited. (March 15)