(Image Source: RT)

BY TATIANA DARIE

ANCHOR EMILY SPAIN

With less than a month left until the Russian presidential election, some coffee drinkers are asking for a cup of democracy.  The Russian coffee chain Koffein is offering its customers something special when they buy a latte or cappuccino.  No, they don’t get a paper ballot but they get something special when they cast their vote. 

The initiative called "Vote and you won't lose!" is simple: order your drink while naming one of the five hopefuls for Russian presidency and their face will be expertly crafted on your milky froth. The Moscow Times gives a quick review of the two top vote getters.

“There is a smiley Prokhorov, looking like a man confident of winning far more votes than his current statistical error percentage would suggest.  The most instantly recognizable is Putin who is depicted with a deadpan expression, as if only he realizes that winning the election is not just a matter of milky caricatures.”

The winner of the coffee poll will be announced two days before the presidential election.  Currently, billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov is leading with 48% of the votes, followed by current Prime Minister Vladimir who comes in second with 22%.  RT says...

“The café network doubts its initiative will seriously affect the alignment of political forces. The point of the idea is to let people practice making their selection, since Russians have no real tradition of democratic choice...”

But more scientific polls are showing that Putin is likely to win the election.  So, besides the coffee poll, Russians are finding other creative ways of showing support for open and clean elections, something they don’t think Putin will allow.  Al Jazeera reports...

“Artists have taken to the forefront to these efforts expressing their dissatisfaction through street performances, music videos and powerful images as this one on my screen which is depicting Putin as  Muammar Gaddafi.”

Other activists express their anger through unconventional demonstrations including rallies staged by toys. France 24 talks with Andrey Teslenko, one of the organisers.

“It also allowed us show the absurdity of the authorities’ attempts to forbid peaceful demonstrations, since even toys have more rights than we do!”

The Russian presidential election is set for March 4th.