Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged voters to take part in Sunday's presidential election, which his chosen successor is expected to win.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged voters to take part in Sunday's presidential election, which his chosen successor is expected to win.
"Every voice of yours will be important... cast a vote for our future," Mr Putin said in a televised address on Friday.
"Every voice of yours will be important... cast a vote for our future," Mr Putin said in a televised address on Friday.
Dmitry Medvedev, a close ally of Mr Putin, is the clear favourite.
Dmitry Medvedev, a close ally of Mr Putin, is the clear favourite.
Mr Putin says he is ready to serve as PM if Mr Medvedev wins. Mr Putin has been president for eight years.
Mr Putin says he is ready to serve as PM if Mr Medvedev wins. Mr Putin has been president for eight years.
"Russia's movement forward should not be stopped, changes for the better should continue," Mr Putin said.
"Russia's movement forward should not be stopped, changes for the better should continue," Mr Putin said.
Earlier, the head of Russia's electoral commission admitted that media coverage for the election had been unequal.
Earlier, the head of Russia's electoral commission admitted that media coverage for the election had been unequal.
Vladimir Churov told the BBC not all candidates had enjoyed equal access to the media, but he still believed the coverage had been fair.
Vladimir Churov told the BBC not all candidates had enjoyed equal access to the media, but he still believed the coverage had been fair.
Critics say TV channels have given too much time to Mr Medvedev.
Critics say TV channels have given too much time to Mr Medvedev.
'Fair but not equal'
'Fair but not equal'
Mr Churov characterised coverage of the campaign as "fair but not equal".
Mr Churov characterised coverage of the campaign as "fair but not equal".
"That's a problem not only for our country but I can agree that not all candidates have an equal number of news items," he said.
"That's a problem not only for our country but I can agree that not all candidates have an equal number of news items," he said.
However, the election chief argued it was legitimate for news programmes to focus on the activities of Mr Medvedev in his current capacity as first deputy prime minister.
However, the election chief argued it was legitimate for news programmes to focus on the activities of Mr Medvedev in his current capacity as first deputy prime minister.
Vladimir Churov added that he had no regrets that the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Europe's main election monitoring body, had decided not to send an observer mission.
Vladimir Churov added that he had no regrets that the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Europe's main election monitoring body, had decided not to send an observer mission.
He said that the world would form its own opinion on the legitimacy of Sunday's election.
He said that the world would form its own opinion on the legitimacy of Sunday's election.
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