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Putin party 'leads Russia polls' Putin party closes on big victory
(about 1 hour later)
President Vladimir Putin's party has won a landslide victory in Russian elections, early official results show.President Vladimir Putin's party has won a landslide victory in Russian elections, early official results show.
With 30% of ballots counted, United Russia had 63.3% of the vote, followed by the Communists at 11.3%. With 30% of ballots counted, his United Russia had 63.3% of the vote. The Communists and two other parties looked set to pass the 7% needed to win seats.
Two other pro-Kremlin parties looked set to pass the 7% threshold needed to win seats. Turnout has been put at 60%. Opposition allegations of fraud were dismissed by the electoral commission.
Mr Putin has said a strong result would give him the authority to retain political power after his presidential term ends next year, possibly as PM.Mr Putin has said a strong result would give him the authority to retain political power after his presidential term ends next year, possibly as PM.
The Communists say they will mount a legal challenge to the result, citing alleged voting irregularities. The Communists, on 11.3%, say they will mount a legal challenge to the result, citing alleged voting irregularities.
Of course there are violations but... They in no way put in doubt the final result Boris GryzlovLeader, United Russia Food, music welcome voters In pictures: Russia votes Profile: Vladimir PutinOf course there are violations but... They in no way put in doubt the final result Boris GryzlovLeader, United Russia Food, music welcome voters In pictures: Russia votes Profile: Vladimir Putin
"We do not trust these figures announced by the central elections commission and we will conduct a parallel count," Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov said."We do not trust these figures announced by the central elections commission and we will conduct a parallel count," Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov said.
In the US. the White House also urged Russian authorities to investigate reports of fraud.
United Russia's leader, Boris Gryzlov, acknowledged there had been violations but dismissed them as insignificant.United Russia's leader, Boris Gryzlov, acknowledged there had been violations but dismissed them as insignificant.
"Of course there are violations but the question is do they have an impact on the final result... They in no way put in doubt the final result.""Of course there are violations but the question is do they have an impact on the final result... They in no way put in doubt the final result."
"The fact that these violations have been registered shows that we have a transparent ballot," he said."The fact that these violations have been registered shows that we have a transparent ballot," he said.
Independent monitors have complained their attempts to observe the poll were hampered.Independent monitors have complained their attempts to observe the poll were hampered.
RESULTS SO FAR With 30% of vote counted United Russia: 63.3%Communist Party of Russia: 11.3%Liberal Democratic Party of Russia: 9.6%A Fair Russia (Mothers/Pensioners/Life): 7.2% Source: Central Election CommissionRESULTS SO FAR With 30% of vote counted United Russia: 63.3%Communist Party of Russia: 11.3%Liberal Democratic Party of Russia: 9.6%A Fair Russia (Mothers/Pensioners/Life): 7.2% Source: Central Election Commission
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) abandoned its plans to send a big team of election observers, accusing Moscow of imposing curbs and delaying visas. Russia denied the claims.The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) abandoned its plans to send a big team of election observers, accusing Moscow of imposing curbs and delaying visas. Russia denied the claims.
Only a much smaller group of MPs from the OSCE's parliamentary assembly attended the election, leaving some 330 foreign monitors covering 95,000 polling stations.Only a much smaller group of MPs from the OSCE's parliamentary assembly attended the election, leaving some 330 foreign monitors covering 95,000 polling stations.
The independent Russian monitoring group Golos reported various violations it said amounted to "an organised campaign", including:The independent Russian monitoring group Golos reported various violations it said amounted to "an organised campaign", including:
  • Entering those voting for United Russia into a prize lottery, reported in St Petersburg
  • Entering those voting for United Russia into a prize lottery, reported in St Petersburg
  • Transporting voters by bus between polling stations, to vote multiple times, in Moscow and St Petersburg
  • Transporting voters by bus between polling stations, to vote multiple times, in Moscow and St Petersburg
  • Opposition party observers being detained for "looking suspicious", in Samara
  • Opposition party observers being detained for "looking suspicious", in Samara
  • Voters being given ballots already filled out for United Russia, in Pestovo
  • Voters being given ballots already filled out for United Russia, in Pestovo
    • However, the chairman of the Central Election Commission, Vladimir Churov, told Russian television there were "no serious violations in the course of polling day". However, the chairman of the Central Election Commission, Vladimir Churov, told Russian television he knew of "no serious violations in the course of polling day".
    Eleven parties were competing for places in the lower house, the Duma.Eleven parties were competing for places in the lower house, the Duma.
    Many Russians are proud of Vladimir Putin's achievementsMany Russians are proud of Vladimir Putin's achievements
    But apart from United Russia, only three polled enough votes to enter parliament, according to early results - the Communists, A Fair Russia and the right-wing Liberal Democratic Party.But apart from United Russia, only three polled enough votes to enter parliament, according to early results - the Communists, A Fair Russia and the right-wing Liberal Democratic Party.
    The latter two are allied to United Russia, meaning parties loyal to the Kremlin are expected to have 348 seats in the 450-seat parliament, according to a state-owned polling agency.The latter two are allied to United Russia, meaning parties loyal to the Kremlin are expected to have 348 seats in the 450-seat parliament, according to a state-owned polling agency.
    This would give United Russia and its allies enough support to push through possible changes to the constitution.This would give United Russia and its allies enough support to push through possible changes to the constitution.
    Mr Gryzlov of United Russia said the election was "a referendum on President Putin so I think we can say he has won a victory".Mr Gryzlov of United Russia said the election was "a referendum on President Putin so I think we can say he has won a victory".
    The party will nominate its candidate for next year's presidential elections at a congress later this month, Mr Gryzlov said.The party will nominate its candidate for next year's presidential elections at a congress later this month, Mr Gryzlov said.
    Options for PutinOptions for Putin
    Mr Putin is constitutionally obliged to stand down after his second term as president ends in March next year.Mr Putin is constitutionally obliged to stand down after his second term as president ends in March next year.
    According to the BBC's James Rodgers in Moscow, his party's apparent landslide win in Sunday's election will enable him to continue wielding great influence in politics - even if he is no longer in high office.According to the BBC's James Rodgers in Moscow, his party's apparent landslide win in Sunday's election will enable him to continue wielding great influence in politics - even if he is no longer in high office.
    Mr Putin announced earlier this year that he may consider trying for the office of prime minister after his presidential term ends. Mr Putin announced earlier this year that he may seek the office of prime minister after his presidential term ends.
    If predictions are right and the Liberal Democratic Party enters parliament, it means its candidate Andrei Lugovoi would be guaranteed a seat.If predictions are right and the Liberal Democratic Party enters parliament, it means its candidate Andrei Lugovoi would be guaranteed a seat.
    Mr Lugovoi is wanted in Britain over the murder of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko, but a parliamentary seat would grant him immunity from prosecution and extradition.Mr Lugovoi is wanted in Britain over the murder of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko, but a parliamentary seat would grant him immunity from prosecution and extradition.