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Russia vote-rigging protests in Vladivostok and Moscow Russia vote-rigging protests in Vladivostok and Moscow
(40 minutes later)
Russia's opposition is holding rallies to protest against what it says were rigged elections on 4 December.Russia's opposition is holding rallies to protest against what it says were rigged elections on 4 December.
In the first of the day's rallies in the far eastern city of Vladivostok, regional MP Artyom Samsonov said the election results should be cancelled.In the first of the day's rallies in the far eastern city of Vladivostok, regional MP Artyom Samsonov said the election results should be cancelled.
In the capital alone, organisers say some 50,000 people are expected to gather on Sakharov Avenue. In the capital, Moscow, organisers expect some 50,000 people to gather on Sakharov Avenue in the city centre.
President Dmitry Medvedev announced political reforms this week, but many demonstrators say it is not enough.President Dmitry Medvedev announced political reforms this week, but many demonstrators say it is not enough.
They are demanding a re-run of the poll, which was won by the party of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin - but with a much smaller share of the overall vote.They are demanding a re-run of the poll, which was won by the party of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin - but with a much smaller share of the overall vote.
In Vladivostok, demonstrators carried posters calling for Mr Putin to be put on trial.In Vladivostok, demonstrators carried posters calling for Mr Putin to be put on trial.
With the temperature just below zero in Moscow, the mayor's office there is reportedly laying on tea and simple hot food from field kitchens.
Security is tight in the city, with 40 busloads of riot police lined up along the avenue, according to Russian media.
'On the backfoot''On the backfoot'
Saturday's rally in Moscow - authorised by the authorities - is being organised by a coalition of opposition forces.Saturday's rally in Moscow - authorised by the authorities - is being organised by a coalition of opposition forces.
Some 47,000 people have already vowed on Facebook to attend, and another 10,000 say they may join the demonstration.Some 47,000 people have already vowed on Facebook to attend, and another 10,000 say they may join the demonstration.
Among those attending the event will be prominent anti-Kremlin blogger Alexei Navalny, following his release from prison after taking part in another demonstration in Moscow on 10 December.Among those attending the event will be prominent anti-Kremlin blogger Alexei Navalny, following his release from prison after taking part in another demonstration in Moscow on 10 December.
Organisers said that as many as 50,000 people rallied on that day, in what was the biggest anti-government protest since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. The 22 speakers expected in Moscow include Mr Putin's presidential challenger Mikhail Prokhorov and former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.
Apart from politicians, the eclectic line-up includes rock musician Yuri Shevchuk, speaking by video link, detective fiction writer Boris Akunin, Urals anti-heroin campaigner Yevgeny Roizman and satirist Viktor Shenderovich.
Organisers said as many as 50,000 people rallied on 10 December, in what was the biggest anti-government protest since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.
The opposition has been encouraged by that success, forcing the Kremlin on the backfoot.The opposition has been encouraged by that success, forcing the Kremlin on the backfoot.
On Thursday, Mr Medvedev proposed to hold direct elections of regional governors and simplify the procedure for registering political parties, but protesters say the concessions do not go far enough, the BBC's Steve Rosenberg in Moscow says.On Thursday, Mr Medvedev proposed to hold direct elections of regional governors and simplify the procedure for registering political parties, but protesters say the concessions do not go far enough, the BBC's Steve Rosenberg in Moscow says.
However, one of the main problems for the opposition is that there is no single leader able to unite it, our correspondent adds.However, one of the main problems for the opposition is that there is no single leader able to unite it, our correspondent adds.
According to the official results of the elections to Russia's Duma, the ruling United Russia party saw its share of the vote fall from 64% to 49%, though it remains easily the biggest party.According to the official results of the elections to Russia's Duma, the ruling United Russia party saw its share of the vote fall from 64% to 49%, though it remains easily the biggest party.
But there is a widespread view, fuelled by mobile phone videos and accounts on internet social networking sites, that there was wholesale election fraud and that Mr Putin's party cheated its way to victory.But there is a widespread view, fuelled by mobile phone videos and accounts on internet social networking sites, that there was wholesale election fraud and that Mr Putin's party cheated its way to victory.
The Kremlin denies the claim.The Kremlin denies the claim.
Are you in Russia? Are you planning to take part in a rally? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in Russia? Are you planning to take part in a rally? Send us your comments using the form below.