Russian Election Candidate Cheats the System by Using 3D Printers to Print Promotional Mugs

3D Printing has been catching on world-wide for a variety of reasons. They include advances in medicine, cheaper manufacturing, and personalization of products. However, there is now another reason 3D printers are being used by one Russian election candidate; to cheat the system.

In Russian there are laws that strictly prohibit the giving of gifts to voters by election candidates. This outlaws the ability to give out mugs, pens, bags, or other related souvenirs during an election campaign. However, Sergei Pakhomov has found a loophole.

Pakhomov is currently running for the head of the district administration in the district of Sergiyev Posad. He realized that the law DOES allow for distribution of “campaign leaflets” and “printed production”, and claimed that as long as an item was completely “printed”, then it would fall under the category of being considered a “leaflet”.

So what Pakhomov did was print up promotional mugs on a 3D printer, and distributed them as promotional campaign leaflets. These actions left Russian electoral officials at a loss of words, as they did not know exactly what to do. As of today, the electoral authorities have not banned the distribution of these mugs. It doesn’t appear as though they have plans to do so, with the election coming up on Sunday.

Will these 3D printed mugs be enough to help Pakhomov get elected? We shall find out on Sunday.

What do you think? Should what Sergei Pakhomov did be allowed, or should they be considered “gifts”. Discuss this article at 3DPrintBoard.