The elections, widely seen as a barometer of popular support for the President Vladimir Putin-backed United Russia in the first parliamentary race since Russia occupied and annexed neighbouring Ukraine’s Crimea region two years ago, were to determine all 450 members of the lower house of parliament, the State Duma. After 60% of votes were counted, opposition parties the Liberal Democratic Party of Russian Federation and the Left had only 13.9% and 13.7% of the vote.
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No other party cleared the 5-percent mark need to win party-list seats.
Pamfilova conceded, however, that the election “wasn’t sterile” and added that reports of ballot stuffing were confirmed in three polling stations.
Putin said the result was proof that United Russia is the leading and best political force because it’s doing its best for people but he also warned the party could not rest on its laurels as people are struggling in their daily lives.
The result signals an improvement for United Russia, which won 49% of the vote and 238 seats during the 2011 election.
“To my utmost regret, not one other party managed to get over the five per cent barrier”, said Central Election Commission head Ella Pamfilova.
The Communists have lost 50 seats, Liberal Democratic Party have lost 17, and A Just Russia lost 41.
Complaints of election violations have been increasing as Russians vote for a new national parliament.
The Central Election Commission said it won almost 50 percent in Sunday’s vote for seats in the State Duma, the lower house of parliament.
Ella Pamfilova’s statement came Sunday as Russians cast ballots for the State Duma, the lower house of parliament.
United Russia’s combined 343 seats mean that it controls more than 75 per cent of the Duma.
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Russian officials are concerned that widespread allegations of vote fraud could spark protests similar to the massive demonstrations after elections in 2011.
