Source:
Bloomberg.comDec. 3 (Bloomberg) -- Vladimir Putin's party swept a parliamentary election that European observers said was "not fair,'' giving the president the mandate he sought to keep guiding Russia after he leaves office next year.
(snip)
The vote "took place in an atmosphere which seriously limited political competition and with frequent abuse of administrative resources, media coverage strongly in favor of the ruling party and an election code whose cumulative effect hindered political pluralism,'' the report by Western observers said. "There was not a level political playing field in Russia in 2007.''
The 70-strong Western observer mission was particularly critical of Putin throwing his weight, and the apparatus of the state, behind United Russia. "The merging of the state and a political party is an abuse of power and a clear violation of international commitments and standards,'' the statement said.
It also noted "persistent reports of harassment of opposition candidates, detentions, confiscation of election material, threats against voters and allegations of the potential misuse of absentee certificates.''
Read more:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aH9QGe78Ti9I&refer=home
Well, this accusation of foul play isn't going to change anything, is it? Then again, I wonder what would've happened if
we'd been observed by the OSCE in 2000 and 2004...