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Putin party 'leads Russia polls' Putin party 'leads Russia polls'
(10 minutes later)
President Vladimir Putin's party has won a landslide victory in nationwide elections, early official results show.President Vladimir Putin's party has won a landslide victory in nationwide elections, early official results show.
With 19% of ballots counted, United Russia had 63.5% of the vote, followed by the Communists at 11.3%. With 30% of ballots counted, United Russia had 63.3% of the vote, followed by the Communists at 11.3%.
Two other pro-Kremlin parties looked set to pass the 7% threshold to win seats. Turnout has been put at 60%. Two other pro-Kremlin parties looked set to pass the 7% threshold needed to win seats. Turnout has been put at 60%.
This result would give Mr Putin the authority to retain political power after his presidential term ends next year, possibly as prime minister.This result would give Mr Putin the authority to retain political power after his presidential term ends next year, possibly as prime minister.
The Communists say they will mount a legal challenge to the result, citing alleged voting irregularities.The Communists 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 Q&A: Russian election Food, music welcome voters In pictures: Russia votes
"We do not trust these figures announced by the central elections commission and we will conduct a parallel count," Mr Zyuganov said."We do not trust these figures announced by the central elections commission and we will conduct a parallel count," Mr Zyuganov said.
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."
RESULTS SO FAR United Russia: 63.5%Communist Party of Russia: 11.3%Liberal Democratic Party of Russia: 10%A Fair Russia (Mothers/Pensioners/Life): 7% Q&A: Russian election Food, music welcome voters
"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.
Options for Putin
Independent monitors have complained their attempts to observe the poll were hampered.Independent monitors have complained their attempts to observe the poll were hampered.
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.
'Victory for Putin' RESULTS SO FAR 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%
Eleven parties are competing for places in the lower house, the Duma. Eleven parties were competing for places in the lower house, the Duma.
Several opposition parties have accused the government of stifling their campaigns.Several opposition parties have accused the government of stifling their campaigns.
Many Russians are proud of Putin's achievements
Two parties allied to United Russia - A Fair Russia and the right-wing Liberal Democratic Party - also polled enough votes to enter parliament, according to early results.Two parties allied to United Russia - A Fair Russia and the right-wing Liberal Democratic Party - also polled enough votes to enter parliament, according to early results.
According to a state-owned polling agency, parties loyal to the Kremlin are expected to have 348 seats in the 450-seat parliament.According to a state-owned polling agency, parties loyal to the Kremlin are expected to have 348 seats in the 450-seat parliament.
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.
Many Russians are proud of Putin's achievements
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.
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 consider trying for the office of prime minister after his presidential term ends.