But Opposition parties and independent election monitors cried foul. They said biased media coverage during the campaign, overt government support for Putin’s United Russia party and numerous irregularities during voting had skewed the outcome.

The Central Electoral Commission said that with almost all votes counted, United Russia had won 64.1 per cent of votes, nearly six times as many as the nearest challenger, the Communist party. Two smaller pro-Kremlin groupings took another 16 per cent of the vote and pro-Western parties won no seats.

The Kremlin hailed the vote as a strong personal endorsement for Putin, who campaigned vigorously for United Russia. Financial market analysts said the result would bolster stability and encourage investment.

“Russian voters spoke in favour of United Russia, thus supporting President Putin’s course, and spoke in favour of it being continued after the current president’s second term ends,” said Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman.
What Putin will do after his second term ends next May is unclear. Some observers say he could seek a third term as president, although he has said he will not change the constitution to pave the way for this.

US for investigation
In a first reaction from abroad, the United States urged Russia to investigate the numerous reports of vote-rigging.

In Chechnya, a region in the North Caucasus which faces a separatist insurgency and is run by pro-Kremlin Ramzan Kadyrov, officials said a partial count showed United Russia had won 99.3 per cent of the votes on a 99-per cent turnout.

Europe’s main ODIHR election watchdog — seen in the West as a key yardstick of the fairness of an election — decided not to monitor the election, citing obstruction by Russian authorities.

Independent election monitors and Opposition parties said officials mounted a nationwide campaign of bribery, intimidation and ballot-stuffing to make sure the vote handed Putin a resounding mandate.

‘PROBE IT’
Brussels, Reuters: Europe joined the US in demanding Russia probe alleged abuses in an election won by Vladimir Putin’s party, and Germany denounced the poll as undemocratic.

“It is vital that the Russian Central Election Commission investigates all allegations of electoral abuses,” Britain's foreign ministry said. France’s foreign ministry spokeswoman expressed the hope that Moscow would “shed light” on the allegations of voting irregularities.