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Russia election: OSCE sees 'numerous violations' Russia election: OSCE sees 'numerous violations'
(40 minutes later)
International observers have cited numerous violations in Sunday's parliamentary elections in Russia.International observers have cited numerous violations in Sunday's parliamentary elections in Russia.
The OSCE said the polls were slanted in favour of pro-Kremlin party United Russia, noting apparent manipulation such as the stuffing of ballot boxes.The OSCE said the polls were slanted in favour of pro-Kremlin party United Russia, noting apparent manipulation such as the stuffing of ballot boxes.
But President Dmitry Medvedev said the vote was fair, honest and democratic.But President Dmitry Medvedev said the vote was fair, honest and democratic.
The election saw a sharp drop in support for United Russia, ahead of PM Vladimir Putin's bid to return to the presidency next March.The election saw a sharp drop in support for United Russia, ahead of PM Vladimir Putin's bid to return to the presidency next March.
With 96% of votes counted, electoral officials said the party had just under 50%, down from 64% in 2007.With 96% of votes counted, electoral officials said the party had just under 50%, down from 64% in 2007.
The vote is being seen as a popularity test for Mr Putin.The vote is being seen as a popularity test for Mr Putin.
'Like a game''Like a game'
Reading a communique, an official from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said the election had in general been "well organised" but there were severe problems with the counting process.Reading a communique, an official from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said the election had in general been "well organised" but there were severe problems with the counting process.
"The contest was also slanted in favour of the ruling party, the election administration lacked independence, most media were partial and state authorities interfered unduly at different levels," said Petros Efthymiou."The contest was also slanted in favour of the ruling party, the election administration lacked independence, most media were partial and state authorities interfered unduly at different levels," said Petros Efthymiou.
Another observer, Heidi Tagliavini, said the elections had suffered because several opposition parties were barred from taking part.Another observer, Heidi Tagliavini, said the elections had suffered because several opposition parties were barred from taking part.
"To me, this election was like a game in which only some players are allowed to compete," she said."To me, this election was like a game in which only some players are allowed to compete," she said.
The OSCE report prompted US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to express "serious concerns" about the conduct of the election.The OSCE report prompted US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to express "serious concerns" about the conduct of the election.
Vladimir Putin is facing a slump in popularity that he has not experienced since the Kursk submarine disaster of 2000.Vladimir Putin is facing a slump in popularity that he has not experienced since the Kursk submarine disaster of 2000.
There are still many in Russia who do not blame him for the rampant corruption and the stagnant economy.There are still many in Russia who do not blame him for the rampant corruption and the stagnant economy.
But he is the leader of United Russia, and support for the party has fallen significantly in these Duma elections, which inevitably reflects badly on him.But he is the leader of United Russia, and support for the party has fallen significantly in these Duma elections, which inevitably reflects badly on him.
Opposition parties have also complained of violations.Opposition parties have also complained of violations.
The Communist Party said it was preparing to challenge the "absolutely illegitimate" result in court, the RIA news agency said.The Communist Party said it was preparing to challenge the "absolutely illegitimate" result in court, the RIA news agency said.
Russia's only independent monitoring group, Golos, says it has logged 5,300 complaints alleging violations.Russia's only independent monitoring group, Golos, says it has logged 5,300 complaints alleging violations.
Major embarrassmentMajor embarrassment
Electoral Commission head Vladimir Churov said United Russia should have a slim majority, with 238 seats out of 450.Electoral Commission head Vladimir Churov said United Russia should have a slim majority, with 238 seats out of 450.
This would mean the party losing its current two-thirds majority which had allowed it to change the constitution unchallenged.This would mean the party losing its current two-thirds majority which had allowed it to change the constitution unchallenged.
Mr Churov said the Communist Party was in second place with 19.2% of the vote, giving it 92 seats.Mr Churov said the Communist Party was in second place with 19.2% of the vote, giving it 92 seats.
A Just Russia was in third place with 13.2% and 64 seats, and the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) had 11.7% and 56, he added.A Just Russia was in third place with 13.2% and 64 seats, and the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) had 11.7% and 56, he added.
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.
But President Medvedev, who headed the United Russia party list, said that despite the slump in its vote, he was looking forward to working with the new parliament.But President Medvedev, who headed the United Russia party list, said that despite the slump in its vote, he was looking forward to working with the new parliament.
"A tragedy has not taken place," he said."A tragedy has not taken place," he said.
"On the contrary, in my view, everything is quite decent and respectable."On the contrary, in my view, everything is quite decent and respectable.
"I for one am glad that we shall have a merrier parliament because we understand that truth can emerge only from a debate.""I for one am glad that we shall have a merrier parliament because we understand that truth can emerge only from a debate."
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.