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Putin's United Russia party suffers poll setback Putin's United Russia party suffers poll setback
(about 1 hour later)
Early returns from Russia's parliamentary polls point to a sharp drop in support for Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's United Russia party.Early returns from Russia's parliamentary polls point to a sharp drop in support for Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's United Russia party.
With 75% of ballots counted, the Central Election Commission said United Russia had 50% of the vote, down from 64% in 2007.With 75% of ballots counted, the Central Election Commission said United Russia had 50% of the vote, down from 64% in 2007.
The vote is being seen as a popularity test of Mr Putin, who is running for the presidency in March.The vote is being seen as a popularity test of Mr Putin, who is running for the presidency in March.
Opposition parties have complained of violations of election laws.Opposition parties have complained of violations of election laws.
Russia's only independent monitoring group, Golos, says it has logged 5,300 complaints alleging violations of election laws.Russia's only independent monitoring group, Golos, says it has logged 5,300 complaints alleging violations of election laws.
'Violations and fraud''Violations and fraud'
If the result is confirmed, United Russia could lose its current two-thirds majority which allowed it to change the constitution unchallenged.If the result is confirmed, United Russia could lose its current two-thirds majority which allowed it to change the constitution unchallenged.
Nonetheless, party chairman Boris Gryzlov says the party hopes to get a majority in the Duma.Nonetheless, party chairman Boris Gryzlov says the party hopes to get a majority in the Duma.
The atmosphere in Moscow today was a strange mix of apathy, patriotism, and intimidation.The atmosphere in Moscow today was a strange mix of apathy, patriotism, and intimidation.
For much of the day, there was a steady flow of voters through polling stations. But there was no great enthusiasm for the parties on offer.For much of the day, there was a steady flow of voters through polling stations. But there was no great enthusiasm for the parties on offer.
Some told us it was their duty to vote; others said they were there to prevent someone else stealing their vote.Some told us it was their duty to vote; others said they were there to prevent someone else stealing their vote.
In the centre of Moscow, near the Kremlin, hundreds of interior ministry troops were on standby in large military trucks.In the centre of Moscow, near the Kremlin, hundreds of interior ministry troops were on standby in large military trucks.
It was not clear if they were there as a show of strength, or just to prevent illegal demonstrations.It was not clear if they were there as a show of strength, or just to prevent illegal demonstrations.
As we were filming in a polling station, our cameraman was taken away by police who wanted to watch his tape, though he was released with an apology after an hour.As we were filming in a polling station, our cameraman was taken away by police who wanted to watch his tape, though he was released with an apology after an hour.
And all round the city centre, thousands of members of pro-Kremlin youth groups were attending conferences and concerts. One of them openly admitted they were there to organise counter-demonstrations against any opposition protests.And all round the city centre, thousands of members of pro-Kremlin youth groups were attending conferences and concerts. One of them openly admitted they were there to organise counter-demonstrations against any opposition protests.
The election commission said the Communist Party was in second place with 19.3% of the vote.The election commission said the Communist Party was in second place with 19.3% of the vote.
A Just Russia was in third place with 13% and the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) had 11.8%, the election commission said.A Just Russia was in third place with 13% and the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) had 11.8%, the election commission said.
"We have received thousands of calls from regional offices, confirming massive violations and fraud," said Communist Party deputy head Ivan Melnikov on the party website."We have received thousands of calls from regional offices, confirming massive violations and fraud," said Communist Party deputy head Ivan Melnikov on the party website.
"Throughout the day, it was like receiving reports from a war zone.""Throughout the day, it was like receiving reports from a war zone."
The BBC's Steve Rosenberg, in Moscow, says if confirmed, the result will be a significant embarrassment to Mr Putin, three months before he is scheduled to run again for the Russian presidency.The BBC's Steve Rosenberg, in Moscow, says if confirmed, the result will be a significant embarrassment to Mr Putin, three months before he is scheduled to run again for the Russian presidency.
He says opposition parties are alleging widespread fraud, including the stuffing of ballot boxes and voters being offered money.He says opposition parties are alleging widespread fraud, including the stuffing of ballot boxes and voters being offered money.
Mr Putin served as president from 2000 to 2008 but was prohibited by the constitution from running for a third consecutive term.Mr Putin served as president from 2000 to 2008 but was prohibited by the constitution from running for a third consecutive term.
Golos, whose monitors are not affiliated with any party, said its website suffered a cyber-attack. Ekho Moskvy, a liberal radio station, said its website had also been attacked.Golos, whose monitors are not affiliated with any party, said its website suffered a cyber-attack. Ekho Moskvy, a liberal radio station, said its website had also been attacked.
Golos - which means "voice" or "vote" - is funded largely by the US and EU.Golos - which means "voice" or "vote" - is funded largely by the US and EU.
Prime Minister Putin has accused foreign powers of meddling in election preparations, while Duma members have questioned why a foreign-funded organisation is allowed to monitor Russian elections.Prime Minister Putin has accused foreign powers of meddling in election preparations, while Duma members have questioned why a foreign-funded organisation is allowed to monitor Russian elections.
Moscow police said more than 100 people were arrested at an opposition demonstration in the city centre on Sunday.Moscow police said more than 100 people were arrested at an opposition demonstration in the city centre on Sunday.
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