3 Mar 2008

Russia election not free or fair

European observers this morning condemned Russia's presidential election, won overwhelmingly by Dmitry Medvedev, as "not fair" and a denial of the "democratic potential" of the country's voters.

In a critical assessment that nonetheless fell short of the tougher statement many had predicted, the Council of Europe's parliamentary assembly called yesterday's poll "more of a plebiscite" than a proper democratic election.

Medvedev, Vladimir Putin's chosen successor as president, romped home in the poll. With almost 99.5% of the votes counted, Medvedev had gathered 70.2% support, Russia's central election commission said. He will now take over from Putin on May 7 as Russia's third post-Soviet leader.

Russia election not free or fair, say observers - guardian.co.uk