the central election commission opened up some voting booths early because of the pandemic. because this vote is taking place at the height of the coronavirus outbreak in russia and there are concerns that it shouldn't have gone ahead at all because of the potential risk that it poses with so many people voting on a single day. the bigger controversy though is about what this constitutional change would mean. first of all, it would mean that the current president, vladimir putin, would be able to serve a third of two consecutive presidential terms which means in theory he could stay in power until 2036. remember, you know, it's already been the case that he's been in power since 1999. there's a lot of criticism coming in from various circles inside of russia that this gives vladimir putin too much power. his detractors say he's been in power way too long. >> matthew chance reporting live from london. many thanks. >>> u.s. president drumpd met donald trump met the polish leader. they discussed a defense cooperation agreement and some u.s. troops he plans to withdraw from germ