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Monitors criticise Russian poll Monitors criticise Russian poll
(about 1 hour later)
The only Western observer group monitoring Russia's presidential election says the poll was flawed.The only Western observer group monitoring Russia's presidential election says the poll was flawed.
Observers from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) said Russia's "democratic potential" was unfulfilled.Observers from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) said Russia's "democratic potential" was unfulfilled.
Dmitry Medvedev, President Vladimir Putin's chosen successor, won a landslide victory in Sunday's poll.Dmitry Medvedev, President Vladimir Putin's chosen successor, won a landslide victory in Sunday's poll.
His opponents say the poll was marred by violations, including coercion to vote - a charge denied by Moscow.His opponents say the poll was marred by violations, including coercion to vote - a charge denied by Moscow.
With nearly 100% of the ballots counted, Mr Medvedev won 70.23% of the vote, Russia's election commission said.With nearly 100% of the ballots counted, Mr Medvedev won 70.23% of the vote, Russia's election commission said.
We will increase stability, improve the quality of life and move forward on the path we have chosen Dmitry Medvedev Tipping point economyWill power shift?In pictures: Russia votesWe will increase stability, improve the quality of life and move forward on the path we have chosen Dmitry Medvedev Tipping point economyWill power shift?In pictures: Russia votes
Mr Medvedev said he hoped to work in an "effective tandem" with Mr Putin as his prime minister.Mr Medvedev said he hoped to work in an "effective tandem" with Mr Putin as his prime minister.
Mr Medvedev's nearest rival was Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov, with 17.76% of the vote. He vowed to go to court over alleged fraud, Itar-Tass news agency reports.Mr Medvedev's nearest rival was Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov, with 17.76% of the vote. He vowed to go to court over alleged fraud, Itar-Tass news agency reports.
Russian poll observers said many state sector workers had been told by their bosses to vote.Russian poll observers said many state sector workers had been told by their bosses to vote.
Various inducements were also offered to mobilise voters, including cheap food, free cinema tickets or toys, correspondents say.Various inducements were also offered to mobilise voters, including cheap food, free cinema tickets or toys, correspondents say.
Graph showing election results
Turnout was high, at 69.65%, the Russian election commission said.Turnout was high, at 69.65%, the Russian election commission said.
'Like plebiscite on Putin'
"The results of the presidential election are a reflection of the will of an electorate whose democratic potential was, unfortunately, not tapped," the PACE 22-member observer mission said in a statement on Monday."The results of the presidential election are a reflection of the will of an electorate whose democratic potential was, unfortunately, not tapped," the PACE 22-member observer mission said in a statement on Monday.
HAVE YOUR SAYRussia's future after the election will be bright as a Democratic nationSinnathamby, CanadaSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYRussia's future after the election will be bright as a Democratic nationSinnathamby, CanadaSend us your comments
"In the elections, which had more the character of a plebiscite on the last eight years in this country, the people of Russia voted for the stability and continuity associated with the incumbent President [Putin] and the candidate promoted by him."In the elections, which had more the character of a plebiscite on the last eight years in this country, the people of Russia voted for the stability and continuity associated with the incumbent President [Putin] and the candidate promoted by him.
"The president-elect will have a solid mandate given to him by the majority of Russians," the statement said."The president-elect will have a solid mandate given to him by the majority of Russians," the statement said.
The PACE monitors also said that the "election repeated most of the flaws revealed during the Duma elections of December 2007". Mr Putin's United Russia party won a huge majority in the December parliamentary election.The PACE monitors also said that the "election repeated most of the flaws revealed during the Duma elections of December 2007". Mr Putin's United Russia party won a huge majority in the December parliamentary election.
"Candidate registration concerns could not have been accommodated, putting into question the degree of how free the election was."Candidate registration concerns could not have been accommodated, putting into question the degree of how free the election was.
"Equal access of the candidates to the media and the public sphere in general has not improved, putting into question the fairness of the election," the PACE observers said."Equal access of the candidates to the media and the public sphere in general has not improved, putting into question the fairness of the election," the PACE observers said.
Last month, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the continent's main election watchdog, decided to boycott the polls because of Moscow's restrictions.Last month, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the continent's main election watchdog, decided to boycott the polls because of Moscow's restrictions.
In response, Russia's foreign ministry called the monitors' decision "unacceptable".In response, Russia's foreign ministry called the monitors' decision "unacceptable".
Only 300 international observers were monitoring the 96,000 polling stations on Sunday.Only 300 international observers were monitoring the 96,000 polling stations on Sunday.
'Triumph of majority''Triumph of majority'
After the polls, Mr Medvedev said his policies would be "a direct continuation of that path which is being carried out by President Putin".After the polls, Mr Medvedev said his policies would be "a direct continuation of that path which is being carried out by President Putin".
He said he would control foreign policy with the defence of Russian interests his chief priority.He said he would control foreign policy with the defence of Russian interests his chief priority.
Mr Medvedev also confirmed that Mr Putin would be moving out of the Kremlin.Mr Medvedev also confirmed that Mr Putin would be moving out of the Kremlin.
On where Mr Putin would work as prime minister, he said "the place of the prime minister and the government is the White House", referring to the government building a few miles from the Kremlin.On where Mr Putin would work as prime minister, he said "the place of the prime minister and the government is the White House", referring to the government building a few miles from the Kremlin.
The mainly pro-Kremlin media have welcomed Mr Medvedev's victory.The mainly pro-Kremlin media have welcomed Mr Medvedev's victory.
The Izvestia newspaper said the vote was a "triumph of the majority" that created a "bridge to the future for Russia".The Izvestia newspaper said the vote was a "triumph of the majority" that created a "bridge to the future for Russia".
A first deputy PM, Mr Medvedev was the clear favourite from the start and enjoyed generous television coverage.A first deputy PM, Mr Medvedev was the clear favourite from the start and enjoyed generous television coverage.
Mr Putin was barred by the constitution from seeking a third consecutive term, but has pledged to serve as Mr Medvedev's prime minister.Mr Putin was barred by the constitution from seeking a third consecutive term, but has pledged to serve as Mr Medvedev's prime minister.
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