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Putin ally Sergei Sobyanin set to win Moscow mayor poll Putin ally Sergei Sobyanin set to win Moscow mayor poll
(about 3 hours 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. But his main rival, pro-democracy movement leader Alexei Navalny, fared better than expected with 27% so far.
Mr Sobyanin won about 53%, thus taking victory in the first round, partial official results indicate. The charismatic politician has already called for a run-off, saying the results were "clear falsifications".
Mr Navalny disputes the result, saying he won enough to force a second round. Mr Sobyanin won about 52%, thus taking victory in the first round, partial official results indicate.
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, Mr Navalny has so far won some 27% based on over 80% of polling stations reporting.
However, the pro-democracy leader has strongly disputed the results, and says he won enough votes to force a run-off.
"What we are seeing now are clear falsifications," he told reporters in a late-night briefing on Sunday.
"We demand that a second round is held. If that is not done, we will appeal to the citizens and ask them to take to the streets of Moscow."
Mr Navalny 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.
'Putin decides''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." Mr Navalny earlier told reporters that he would "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. "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, 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.
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.
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. The Kremlin-backed candidate has kept 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 all, six candidates stood in the election.In all, six candidates stood in the election.