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| Putin dominates election run-up | Putin dominates election run-up |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The party of President Vladimir Putin appears to be on course for a huge majority as campaigning ends in the Russian parliamentary election. | The party of President Vladimir Putin appears to be on course for a huge majority as campaigning ends in the Russian parliamentary election. |
| "Moscow votes for Putin" says a huge sign dominating one of the city's main squares. He tops the candidate list of the United Russia party. | "Moscow votes for Putin" says a huge sign dominating one of the city's main squares. He tops the candidate list of the United Russia party. |
| The Kremlin's only possible enemy is a low turnout in Sunday's vote, the BBC's James Rodgers reports from Moscow. | The Kremlin's only possible enemy is a low turnout in Sunday's vote, the BBC's James Rodgers reports from Moscow. |
| Critics say President Putin has stifled the opposition. | Critics say President Putin has stifled the opposition. |
| MAIN RIVAL PARTIES United RussiaCommunist Party of RussiaLiberal Democratic Party of RussiaA Fair Russia (Mothers/Pensioners/Life) YablokoUnion of Right Forces Q&A: Russian election class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=3877&edition=1">Send us your comments | |
| The election for the 450-seat Duma (lower house) has in effect become a referendum on Mr Putin's vision for Russia, our correspondent says. | The election for the 450-seat Duma (lower house) has in effect become a referendum on Mr Putin's vision for Russia, our correspondent says. |
| Mr Putin is expected to secure a huge majority because he has presided over economic growth driven by rising oil prices. | Mr Putin is expected to secure a huge majority because he has presided over economic growth driven by rising oil prices. |
| But besides the question mark over the health of Russian democracy, food price inflation troubles many ordinary people, our correspondent adds. | But besides the question mark over the health of Russian democracy, food price inflation troubles many ordinary people, our correspondent adds. |
| Mr Putin cannot run for a third term in presidential elections next March. So Sunday's election is being closely watched for signs of his future intentions. | Mr Putin cannot run for a third term in presidential elections next March. So Sunday's election is being closely watched for signs of his future intentions. |
| He has warned Russians not to heed his opponents who would "bring back the times of humiliation, dependence and disintegration". | He has warned Russians not to heed his opponents who would "bring back the times of humiliation, dependence and disintegration". |
| Liberal opposition parties accuse the Kremlin of harassment and domination of the mass media. Police have broken up several opposition rallies, detaining the organisers. | Liberal opposition parties accuse the Kremlin of harassment and domination of the mass media. Police have broken up several opposition rallies, detaining the organisers. |
| The other parties expected to win sits in the Duma are the Communist Party of Russia and the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia. | The other parties expected to win sits in the Duma are the Communist Party of Russia and the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia. |