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Monitors criticise Russian poll Monitors criticise Russian poll
(10 minutes 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.
Dmitry Medvedev, President Vladimir Putin's chosen successor, won a landslide victory on Sunday.Dmitry Medvedev, President Vladimir Putin's chosen successor, won a landslide victory on Sunday.
But observers from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) said Russia's "democratic potential" was unfulfilled.But observers from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) said Russia's "democratic potential" was unfulfilled.
The European Commission, France and Germany have congratulated Mr Medvedev, voicing hope that ties will improve.The European Commission, France and Germany have congratulated Mr Medvedev, voicing hope that ties will improve.
Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso said he was confident that the EU-Russia "strategic partnership" would develop.Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso said he was confident that the EU-Russia "strategic partnership" would develop.
Graph showing election results
A spokesman for the German chancellor said Angela Merkel "wishes Mr Medvedev good luck and success". But he also said that in the campaign "democratic rules were not always upheld".A spokesman for the German chancellor said Angela Merkel "wishes Mr Medvedev good luck and success". But he also said that in the campaign "democratic rules were not always upheld".
Mr Medvedev's opponents say the poll was marred by violations, including coercion to vote - a charge denied by Moscow.Mr Medvedev's opponents say the poll was marred by violations, including coercion to vote - a charge denied by Moscow.
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
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.
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.
Turnout was high, at 69.65%, the Russian election commission said.Turnout was high, at 69.65%, the Russian election commission said.
"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."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.
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.
Mr Putin was barred by the constitution from seeking a third consecutive term but is expected to become prime minister after his United Russia party won a huge majority in December's parliamentary election.Mr Putin was barred by the constitution from seeking a third consecutive term but is expected to become prime minister after his United Russia party won a huge majority in December's parliamentary election.
The PACE monitors said Sunday's election "repeated most of the flaws" of December's vote.The PACE monitors said Sunday's election "repeated most of the flaws" of December's vote.
"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 presidential election 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 presidential election because of Moscow's restrictions.
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 and make the defence of Russian interests his chief priority.He said he would control foreign policy and make 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.
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.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.
Izvestia newspaper said the vote was a "triumph of the majority" that created a "bridge to the future for Russia".Izvestia newspaper said the vote was a "triumph of the majority" that created a "bridge to the future for Russia".
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