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Putin ally Sergei Sobyanin set to win Moscow mayor poll Putin ally Sergei Sobyanin set to win Moscow mayor poll
(35 minutes later)
Kremlin-backed candidate Sergei Sobyanin is set to win the election for mayor of the Russian capital Moscow, but by a narrow margin.Kremlin-backed candidate Sergei Sobyanin is set to win the election for mayor of the Russian capital Moscow, but by a narrow margin.
His main challenger at Sunday's ballot was Alexei Navalny, the charismatic leader of Russia's pro-democracy movement.His main challenger at Sunday's ballot was Alexei Navalny, the charismatic leader of Russia's pro-democracy movement.
Mr Sobyanin won about 53%, thus taking victory in the first round, partial official results indicate.Mr Sobyanin won about 53%, thus taking victory in the first round, partial official results indicate.
But the Navalny campaign believe he did not cross the 50% barrier. Mr Navalny disputes the result, saying he won enough to force a second round.
They predict that he won 46% to 35.5% for their man, meaning the election would go to a second round.
According to the electoral commission, with less than half the votes counted Mr Navalny had won some 20%. The candidate is currently on bail after being found guilty of embezzlement in what he insists was a political trial.According to the electoral commission, with less than half the votes counted Mr Navalny had won some 20%. The candidate is currently on bail after being found guilty of embezzlement in what he insists was a political trial.
If there is any serious suggestion of the election being rigged, large-scale protests will probably return to Moscow's streets, the BBC's Daniel Sandford reports from Moscow.If there is any serious suggestion of the election being rigged, large-scale protests will probably return to Moscow's streets, the BBC's Daniel Sandford reports from Moscow.
In other mayoral votes on Sunday, anti-heroin campaigner Yevgeny Roizman appears to have won by a narrow majority in Yekaterinburg, the main city in Russia's Urals industrial zone.In other mayoral votes on Sunday, anti-heroin campaigner Yevgeny Roizman appears to have won by a narrow majority in Yekaterinburg, the main city in Russia's Urals industrial zone.
Mr Roizman, a former MP often critical of Kremlin policy, won 32% to 30% for the ruling party candidate Yakov Silin, according to partial results. Unlike Moscow, the city's mayor is elected by a simple majority in a single round.Mr Roizman, a former MP often critical of Kremlin policy, won 32% to 30% for the ruling party candidate Yakov Silin, according to partial results. Unlike Moscow, the city's mayor is elected by a simple majority in a single round.
'Low turnout' 'Putin decides'
Speaking to reporters, Mr Navalny was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying: "We do not accept the results that are being announced, and we will not give up a single vote that we received."
"Right now Sobyanin and his main supporter Vladimir Putin are deciding whether to have a relatively honest election and to have a second round, or not," he added, quoted by AFP, as partial results were still coming in.
Turnout seems to have been low in Moscow, with 26.5% officially recorded as having cast their vote two hours before polling stations closed.Turnout seems to have been low in Moscow, with 26.5% officially recorded as having cast their vote two hours before polling stations closed.
Mayoral elections were abolished in Moscow in 2004 but re-instated as a concession to pro-democracy campaigners.Mayoral elections were abolished in Moscow in 2004 but re-instated as a concession to pro-democracy campaigners.
Mr Navalny ran a Western-style campaign, holding informal meetings with voters outside metro stations and using glossy posters of himself with his family.Mr Navalny ran a Western-style campaign, holding informal meetings with voters outside metro stations and using glossy posters of himself with his family.
He is credited with bringing grassroots politics to the Russian capital, inspiring thousands of volunteers to support his campaign.He is credited with bringing grassroots politics to the Russian capital, inspiring thousands of volunteers to support his campaign.
Mr Sobyanin became mayor in 2010 after Yuri Luzhkov, who had governed the city for almost two decades, was forced out of office.Mr Sobyanin became mayor in 2010 after Yuri Luzhkov, who had governed the city for almost two decades, was forced out of office.
Mr Sobyanin had a low profile during the race, shunning debates with the five other candidates.Mr Sobyanin had a low profile during the race, shunning debates with the five other candidates.
In late 2011, Moscow was the scene of the biggest anti-government protests since Soviet times after a general election marred by allegations of ballot-rigging.In late 2011, Moscow was the scene of the biggest anti-government protests since Soviet times after a general election marred by allegations of ballot-rigging.
In all, six candidates stood in the election.In all, six candidates stood in the election.