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Russian election: Putin-backed party well ahead - exit polls Russian election: Putin-backed party well ahead - exit polls
(35 minutes later)
United Russia, backed by President Vladimir Putin, is well ahead in the nation's parliamentary election, taking more than 40%, exit polls suggest. United Russia, backed by President Vladimir Putin, is far ahead in the nation's parliamentary election, taking well over 40%, exit polls suggest.
However its vote, if confirmed, would be down on the 49% won in 2011. However, its vote looked unlikely to pass the 49% won in 2011.
The nationalist LDPR and the Communist party are way behind, with 14-16% each.The nationalist LDPR and the Communist party are way behind, with 14-16% each.
Liberal opposition parties appear to have failed to pass the 5% threshold needed for party-list representation, the polls say, though they could still get seats in individual constituencies.Liberal opposition parties appear to have failed to pass the 5% threshold needed for party-list representation, the polls say, though they could still get seats in individual constituencies.
A VTsIOM exit poll gave United Russia, led by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, 44.5%, with the Public Opinion Foundation putting its total higher, at 48.7%.A VTsIOM exit poll gave United Russia, led by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, 44.5%, with the Public Opinion Foundation putting its total higher, at 48.7%.
The two polls differed on whether the LDPR or Communists were second, but both were well behind. Partial official results later confirmed a large lead.
The two exit polls differed on whether the LDPR or Communists were second, but both were well behind.
A Just Russia was fourth on about 8%.A Just Russia was fourth on about 8%.
These four parties had dominated the last State Duma (lower house).These four parties had dominated the last State Duma (lower house).
Two opposition parties, Yabloko and Parnas, were projected to receive 3.5 and 1.2% respectively.Two opposition parties, Yabloko and Parnas, were projected to receive 3.5 and 1.2% respectively.
The turnout was significantly down from the 2011 elections - just below 40% two hours before voting ended.The turnout was significantly down from the 2011 elections - just below 40% two hours before voting ended.
Election Commission head Ella Pamfilova said she was "fully confident that the elections are proceeding in a quite legitimate way".Election Commission head Ella Pamfilova said she was "fully confident that the elections are proceeding in a quite legitimate way".
Legitimate vote? By Steve Rosenberg, BBC News, MoscowLegitimate vote? By Steve Rosenberg, BBC News, Moscow
In the system of "Managed Democracy" crafted by the Kremlin, it was unthinkable that President Putin's control of parliament would weaken.In the system of "Managed Democracy" crafted by the Kremlin, it was unthinkable that President Putin's control of parliament would weaken.
And so, the four pro-Kremlin parties which dominated the previous parliament will do so again. But will the new parliament be recognised by the public as legitimate?And so, the four pro-Kremlin parties which dominated the previous parliament will do so again. But will the new parliament be recognised by the public as legitimate?
The Russian authorities have tried to present this as one of the cleanest elections in years. Some opposition candidates were permitted to run; a respected human rights advocate was appointed head of the Russian Election Commission.The Russian authorities have tried to present this as one of the cleanest elections in years. Some opposition candidates were permitted to run; a respected human rights advocate was appointed head of the Russian Election Commission.
Yet throughout the day there have been reports of voting fraud - and video to back them up. In some cases, webcams installed at polling stations recorded what appear to be election officials stuffing ballot boxes.Yet throughout the day there have been reports of voting fraud - and video to back them up. In some cases, webcams installed at polling stations recorded what appear to be election officials stuffing ballot boxes.
It was vote-rigging which sparked anti-government street protests after the last parliamentary election. President Putin will be hoping that this time his personal popularity, combined with widespread apathy, will mean that Russians accept the result.It was vote-rigging which sparked anti-government street protests after the last parliamentary election. President Putin will be hoping that this time his personal popularity, combined with widespread apathy, will mean that Russians accept the result.
Allegations of fraud after the last election had sparked large-scale protests against Mr Putin in Moscow and the authorities were anxious to oversee trouble-free polls this time.Allegations of fraud after the last election had sparked large-scale protests against Mr Putin in Moscow and the authorities were anxious to oversee trouble-free polls this time.
Mr Putin has enjoyed 17 years in power as either president or prime minister, and does not belong to any designated party.Mr Putin has enjoyed 17 years in power as either president or prime minister, and does not belong to any designated party.
But he visited the headquarters of United Russia with Mr Medvedev after the vote to congratulate activists on their victory.But he visited the headquarters of United Russia with Mr Medvedev after the vote to congratulate activists on their victory.
"We know that people's lives are not easy," he said. "Nonetheless... we can confidently say that the party has achieved a very good result." "We know that people's lives are not easy," Mr Putin said. "Nonetheless... we can confidently say that the party has achieved a very good result."
Crimea votesCrimea votes
Voters were choosing 450 MPs in the State Duma for the next five years.Voters were choosing 450 MPs in the State Duma for the next five years.
But despite Russia's economic malaise and tensions with the West over the conflicts in Ukraine and Syria, some observers had called the election campaign the dullest in recent memory.But despite Russia's economic malaise and tensions with the West over the conflicts in Ukraine and Syria, some observers had called the election campaign the dullest in recent memory.
Serious irregularities were reported in one Siberian region, with suggestions of "carousel" voting - people bussed around polling stations - in the city of Barnaul.Serious irregularities were reported in one Siberian region, with suggestions of "carousel" voting - people bussed around polling stations - in the city of Barnaul.
Monitoring group Golos says it had received more than 1,300 complaints from around the country by late afternoon, AP reports.Monitoring group Golos says it had received more than 1,300 complaints from around the country by late afternoon, AP reports.
For the first time, people voted in Crimea, annexed from Ukraine in 2014 in a move condemned internationally.For the first time, people voted in Crimea, annexed from Ukraine in 2014 in a move condemned internationally.