News

Medvedev to become Russian leader, BBC (2008)

Dmitry Medvedev is being inaugurated as Russia's third president since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Russian Presidential election: for an election to be good it takes a good process, not just a good election day, PACE (2008)

This statement reflects conclusions of a 22-member delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) observing 2008 Presidental Elections in Russia.

Q&A: Russian presidential polls, BBC (2008)

You can read BBC journalists' answers to questions about the 2008 presidental elections in Russia, for instance What is at stake? What are the rules? Who is standing?

PACE pre-election delegation concerned by limited choice in Russian Presidential election, CoE (2008)

A pre-electoral delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), concluding a two-day visit to Moscow, has expressed concern at the prospects for the holding of a good Presidential election in Russia.

OSCE PA will not observe Russian presidential election,OSCE (2008)

This short news confirms that besides ODIHR also OSCE Parlamentary Assembley decided to not observe 2008 presidental elections in Russia.

OSCE refuses to monitor Russia’s presidential poll, Russia Today (2008)

The OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights has said it will not monitor the presidential election in Russia. Moscow has responded to the move by accusing the organisation of not living up to its international responsibilities.

OSCE/ODIHR regrets that restrictions force cancellation of election observation mission to Russian Federation, OSCE/ODIHR (2008)

This Press release informs you that OSCE ODIHR regrets that restrictions imposed on its planned election observation mission will not allow it to deploy a mission to the 2 March 2008 presidential election in Russia.

Putin backs Medvedev as his successor, Russia Today (2007)

In this article you can read about President Vladimir Putin's favoured successor – 42-year-old Dmitry Medvedev and some comments on his nomination.

Putin's party wins by a landslide - it's official (Russia Today), 2007

In this article you read the official results of the December, 2 Duma Elections.

Russia's election losers hit with massive TV airtime bills, Ria Novosti (2007)

This article tells about the obligation of parties that gained less than 3% at the parliamentary elections to pay for the TV airtime granted to them in the run up to the polls.

Whopping victory for Putin`s party, Russia Today (2007)

This article tells preliminary results of the voting, reaction of political parties and international observers.

Putin party secures huge victory, BBC (2007)

In this article you can read some comments on the preliminary results of the voting and you can find also links to further articles on the subject.

The cost of Russian democracy: $US 172 MLN, Russia Today (2007)

This artcile is about costs of Sunday’s parliamentary election in Russia. It is expected to cost $US 172 million, around 30% less than the 2003 poll.

ODIHR unable to observe Russian Duma elections, OSCE/ODIHR (2007)

 

PACE to observe parliamentary elections in Russia, Council of Europe (2007)

The Bureau of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE)confirmed that the Assembly will send a cross-party delegation of up to 55 parliamentarians, headed by Luc van den Brande (Belgium, EPP/CD), to observe the Duma elections in Russia on 2 December 2007.

The Russian delegation says the OSCE ODIHR monitoring system is not transparent, New Europe (2007)

http://www.neurope.eu/articles/79782.php

United Russia leads polls with Communists a distant second, Russia Today (2007)

 

Eleven parties to contest Duma elections, Russia Today (2007)

The final list of parties who'll take part in Russia's parliamentary elections has been confirmed. The Central Election Committee has named the eleven parties who will contest the countrywide elections in December.

The Russian delegation says the OSCE ODIHR monitoring system is not transparent (2007)

 

Medvedev 'to continue Putin work'

Dmitry Medvedev has vowed to continue the course of predecessor Vladimir Putin after winning a landslide victory in Russia's presidential election. With nearly 100% of the ballots counted, the election commission has announced he won 70.23% of the vote.

"Virtual politics" in the ex-Soviet bloc (2007)

This article examines three key changes in the ex-Soviet bloc: Ukraine's "orange revolution" of 2004-05; the development of so-called "counter-revolutionary technology; and the developments in Russia.

Putin’s Party Wins in Regional Elections Across Russia, The New York Times (2009)

 

Russians go to polls to vote in regional elections (Ria Novosti, 2009)

 

Ruling United Russia party sweeps Moscow, regional elections (Ria Novosti, 2009)

90% of votes counted - election results in Moscow

Russian regional vote is mid-term test for Medvedev (Reuters, 2010)

Millions of Russians voted in regional elections on Sunday in a mid-term test of President Dmitry Medvedev's pledge to loosen the Kremlin's grip on the political system.

Kremlin ruling party's support slides in local polls (Reuters UK, 2010)

Support for Russia's ruling party fell sharply in regional elections on Sunday amid growing anger at price rises and high unemployment after the global economic crisis halted years of rapid growth.

Russia's ruling party wins regional polls (Reuters UK, 2010)

Russia's ruling party won a string of regional elections, results showed on Monday, but the votes were marred by accusations of widespread fraud.

Putin's United Russia Party punished at the ballot box (Deutsche Welle, 2010)

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's United Russia Party has suffered disappointing results in regional elections, amid allegations of vote manipulation. But it still won a majority of the votes in some regions.

Victory In Defeat (Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, 2010)

If the regional elections in Russia had been normal elections, the results would be easy to interpret. The ruling United Russia party lost about 20 percentage points of support more or less across the board, despite the kinds of gross election violations that have become the norm. Many analysts, including the astute Aleksandr Kynev, interpreted the outcome as “catastrophic” for the ruling party and a sign of a “fundamental” shift in the public mood.

Pro-Kremlin Party on Top, but Opposition Gains Seats (The New York Times, 2010)

The pro-Kremlin party, United Russia, has again dominated regional elections, according to preliminary results released Monday, though opposition parties have made slight gains in a vote that has been seen as a test of President Dmitri A. Medvedev’s call for greater political pluralism in Russia.

A Happy Defeat for the Kremlin (Foreign Policy, 2010)

Putin's party loses seats, drops in the polls, gets caught out in election violations. So why is this spokesman grinning?

United Russia Wins Russian Regional Elections (Pravda, 2010)

While certain western-leaning media circles paint ominous pictures after Sunday’s regional elections in Russia, claiming that things are dire for the Government Party, United Russia, a close analysis of the results shows most clearly that the winner was one party, and one party alone: United Russia.

Russian opposition stage anti-Putin rallies, BBC News (2010)

Thousands of people have taken to the streets of several Russian cities in protest at Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's policies.

Notorious opposition leader forms new party to run in Russian parliamentary elections, RIA Novosti (2010)

This article discusses the institution of a new party in Russia. The 'Other Russia' coalition leader, Eduard Limonov, announced that he will be running in the 2011 parliamentary elections with a new party. The Other Russia coalition has fallen apart in 2007 (when Kasyanov and Kasparov pulled out).

Russia: Putin hints at Kremlin return, The Irish Times (2010)

This article reports on the possible candidacy of Vladimir Putin to the 2012 presidential elections. The constitution sets a two-consecutive-terms limit, so it prevented Putin from running in 2008, but he could do that in 2012. In 2008, president Medvedev changed the constitution to extend the presidential term to six years.

Russia: With firing, Medvedev reasserts his power (The Washington Post, 2010)

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev stepped out of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's shadow long enough on Tuesday to fire Moscow's larger-than-life mayor, rattling a political establishment that until now has accepted Putin as the nation's undisputed authority.

Russia: Moscow ex-mayor to challenge his old ruling party, Reuters (2010)

This article reports on the creation of a new political party in Russia. The former major of Moscow, Yuri Luzhkov, announced that he will set up a new political movement to run for the 2012 presidential elections in Russia. Luzhkov stated that his party will rally pensioners and intellectuals who "believe that their freedom is being limited."

One week left before common election day in Russia (ITAR-TASS,2010)

The country will hold a common election day exactly a week later, which, according to the assessment of head of the Russian Central Election Commission (CEC) Vladimir Churov, will set an all-round record in the total number of elections and the number of candidates in the latest history of Russia.

Ration books return in Russia (The Moscow News, 2010)

United Russia and State Duma member Valentin Bobyrev, in the meantime, is also offering food vouchers, but only to those who vote in the upcoming regional election in Novosibirsk region, Vedomosti reported. Bobyrev said that everyone who voted would get a food card worth 500 roubles and claimed that the issue had been cleared with the election committee.

Russia’s ruling party dominates regional elections (The Voice of Russia, 2010)

Preliminary results indicate that the ruling United Russia Party is leading in regional and local elections held across Russia on Sunday, the Central Elections Commission head said on Monday.

Russia: Parliament deputies to discuss election laws with Medvedev, RIA Novosti (2011)

This article reports on the discussions between representatives of parliamentary parties and President Dmitry Medvedev about the election legislation for the 2011 regional and parliamentary elections. The focus of this talks will be inter-ethnic relations, as well as promotion of patriotism.

Putin and Medvedev to appear in United Russia campaign, The Moscow News (2011)

Putin and Medvedev to appear in United Russia campaign according to an announcement of United Russia's website.

Russians vote in regional elections, The Voice of Russia (2011)

This article reports on the local elections in Russia. Citizens in 12 regions cast their ballots to elect regional legislatures. Polls closed on March 13.

Russia: 90 complaints come to CEC during single election day, ITAR-TASS (2011)

This article reports on the local elections in Russia. On Election Day, the Russian Central Election Commission (CEC) received 90 complaints, a slight increase since the last local elections in 2010 (76 complaints).

Russia: Putin expected to hold majority following elections, The Irish Times (2011)

This article comments the outcomes of Sunday's local elections in Russia. The polls were considered a major test for prime minister Vladimir Putin’s ruling party, and an anticipation of December's parliamentary elections. The next presidential elections, on the other hand, will be held on March 2012. United Russia, the ruling party, is expected to win in most of the 12 regional elections.

In Tver, United Russia bombards voters with billboards, The Moscow Times (2011)

This article discusses the conduct of the electoral campaign in Russia. In Tver, the ruling United Russia party carried out an intensive - and controversial - campaign, covering the city with billboards and posters. "A Just Russia" candidates accused the United Russia of taking down other parties' posters. The average turnout in the 12 regions was between 40 and 44%, while only 32% of the eligible voters cast their ballots in Tver.

Ruling party is accused of fraud in Russian vote, The New York Times (2011)

This article reports on the elections in Russia. On Election Day, the opposition parties submitted complains accusing the ruling United Russia of ballot-stuffing and fraud. A recent poll showed that the ruling party was supported by less than 50% of the people, its lowest figure since 2007.

Russians vote in elections expected to damage Putin's party, The Telegraph (2011)

This article reports on the possible outcomes of the March regional elections in Russia. These polls involved regions where in the past months a series of opposition protests were held, and this could pose a threat to the ruling party. On Sunday, March 13, 24 million citizens were eligible to vote in the polls.

Russia’s CEC to elect chairman, Itar-Tass (2011)

A new lineup of the Russian Central Elections Commission (CEC), who is to hold the general elections in 2011-2012, will start working on Monday.

Russia denies liberal opposition party registration, Reuters (2011)

Russia's Justice Ministry has denied the registration request of a liberal opposition party, citing that "the Party of People's Freedom could not be registered as a party because it had breached two articles of the Law on Political Parties."

Russia Bars Opposition Party From Elections, The Wall Street Journal (2011)

Russia denies registration of a key opposition political party, barring it from parliamentary and presidential elections. According to the Justice Ministry it denied registration because it found violations in the 45,000 signatures that the party had submitted with its application.

Russia`s approaching nonelection, The New York Times (2011)

Dmitry Medvedev and Vladimir Putin left open which one of them will run for president next March but according to them they will reach a decision together. The tandem is likely to announce its presidential candidate only after the parliamentary election has been squared away.

Putin says Russian 2012 election will be dirty, Reuters (2011)

Putin will play a significant role in forthcoming elections in Russia although nor did him neither the current president Dmitry Medvedev reveal which of them will run in the March 2012 presidential election.

Official on possible date of Russia's presidential election, The Voice of Russia (2011)

The presidential election in Russia may be held on March 4-11 2012, the secretary of the Central Election Commission Nikolai Konkin said Thursday

Russia: Opposition cries foul at governor election landslide, rt.com (2011)

Russian news agencies reported that Governor Valentina Matviyenko received 93.7 per cent of the vote in a municipal by-election in the Petrovsky district on Sunday. The opposition claims the unusually high level of support could only be caused by a rigged poll.

Russia: Putin proposes mandatory primaries for all political parties, Rianovosti (2011)

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin proposed on Tuesday legislative amendments to introduce primaries for all political parties. As Putin said he wants political parties to consider ways of making such preliminary elections a legally binding norm.

OSCE/ODIHR director presents plans for observation of Duma elections to Russian authorities, OSCE (2011)

The Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Ambassador Janez Lenarčič, presented ODIHR’s plans for observing the upcoming parliamentary elections to the Russian authorities during a two-day visit to Moscow which ended today.

Russia’s election chief: turnout is key, Russia and India report (2011)

The article explains the different difficulties between the Central Election Commission of Russia and electoral observation organizations such as the OSCE/ODIHR. Vladimir Churov, the head of the commission, explains that there are certain debates between the international observers and his institution regarding the Russian voting procedures and party affiliations.

Russia: A woman's place is in the Duma?, Russia and India report (2011)

The article discusses about the place of women in Russian political institutions. After the fall of the Soviet era women quotas, the number of female politicians declined significantly in Russian politics. However, leaders and academics like Kryshtanovskaya are willing to change the situation and aim to get a women elected in the Russian presidential elections of 2018.

Berlin suggests sending election observers to Russia, The Local (2011)

The German government on Monday called on Russia to see that next year’s presidential election observed “democratic principles,” and added that it would welcome a plan to send in independent election observers. According to German Government Spokesman, Steffen Seibert “From a German point of view, it would be very helpful if a sufficient number of election observers were allowed into the country.”

Russia: ‘OSCE biased in assessing elections’, RT News (2011)

The article explains that, according to the Russian authorities, the OSCE observation mission to Russia is biased. Igor Borisov, the president of All-Russia Public Institute for Election Law, accuses the OSCE/ODIHR of not having universal methods for observing the elections. According to Borisov, the ''lack of method'' and the ''excessive'' amount of international observers going to Russia to monitor the elections reveals the political goals behind the OSCE/ODIHR observation missions.

Russian opposition calls for election boycott, ahramonline (2011)

Former chess king Garry Kasparov leads several opposition leaders in calls for a boycott of Russia's parliamentary elections in December, branding them as 'illegitimate and disgraceful'. According to them the results are known in advance and nobody has any illusions. „But high participation gives legitimacy to these elections. So, the fewer people vote, the lower their legitimacy” he explained.

Russia: date for elections to State Duma approaches, The Voice of Russia (2011)

On December 4th polling stations will open in 145 countries, a member of the Central Election Commission, Yelena Dubrovina, said. Besides, electronic voting machines as well as electronic ballot counting devices will be placed - for the first time this year. Altogether, about 2 million Russian citizens have been registered in the Russian consulates abroad.

Observation of State Duma elections in the Russian Federation, OSCE (2011)

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is observing the 4 December State Duma elections in the Russian Federation. The OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission was deployed following an invitation from the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation.

OSCE/ODIHR opens observation mission for Russian Duma elections, OSCE (2011)

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today formally opened its election observation mission to monitor the upcoming 4 December State Duma elections in the Russian Federation.

Russian election results will be shock for Vladimir Putin, The Telegraph (2011)

After eleven years at the apex of Russian politics Vladimir Putin is used to fawning media coverage and sycophantic toadying.

Russia’s elections 2011 – has anything changed?, The Voice of Russia (2011)

The 6th State Duma elections in the Russian Federation are now over. Votes are being counted as we speak. At 10:00 a.m. Moscow time 49.54% voted for United Russia, 19.16% - for the Communist Party, 11.66% - for the Liberal Democratic Party, 13.22% - for Just Russia 3.3% - for Yabloko, 0.59 % - for Right Cause, 0.97% - for Patriots of Russia.

Opposition protesters arrested as Putin's party suffers losses, CNN (2011)

While Russian police arrested 170 opposition protesters in two cities, voters in the country's parliamentary election appeared to eat away at Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's support in Sunday's elections, slimming down his party's parliamentary majority

S.Ossetian talks with Russia on presidential election results end in failure, Ria Novosti (2011)

Talks between supporters of South Ossetian opposition leader and former presidential candidate Alla Dzhioyeva and Russian Presidential Administration head Sergie Vinokurov, acting as the mediator between the South Ossetian opposition and official Tskhinvali, have failed, Dzhioyeva supporter Alan Pliyev told journalists on Sunday.

Foreigners give Russian elections two thumbs up, The Voice of Russia (2011)

In a surprise break from previous practice, this year’s parliamentary vote in Russia is winning big kudos from international observers, which is all the more surprising as this comes against the backcloth of serious critique from the opposition parties and some media outlets.

Moscow police release election protesters, Ria Novosti (2011)

Police in Moscow have released all of the protesters who were detained on Sunday for attempting to stage unsanctioned demonstrations against parliamentary elections, a police spokesman told RIA Novosti on Monday.

United Russia wins 238 seats out of 450 – Churov, The Vocie of Russia (2011)

United Russia may claim 238 seats out of the 450 in the wake of Sunday’s elections to the State Duma of the sixth convocation. This came in a statement at a news conference earlier today by the Chairman of the Central Elections Commission Vladimir Churov.

Despite lack of level playing field in Russian elections, voters took advantage of right to express choice, observers say, OSCE (2011)

Despite the lack of a level playing field during the Russian State Duma elections, voters took advantage of their right to express their choice, the international observers concluded in a statement issued today.

Russia: Observers: All in all, elections up to scratch, RT (2011)

This article reports the different conclusions that were made by independent electoral observation organizations regarding the 2011 Duma Elections. According to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) the vote was fair and transparent. However, other organizations like the OSCE/ODIHR and PACE argue that there were several violations in the electoral process.

Russia's anti-Putin protests grow, The Guardian (2011)

The article reports that while the protest around the 2011 Duma election intensifies, the Russian electoral authorities reject the accusations of fraud.

Russia PM Vladimir Putin accuses US over poll protests, BBC (2011)

BBC reports that the Prime Minister Putin accuses Hilary Clinton of encouraging poll protesters in the aftermath of the 2011 Duma Elections. Accusations of electoral fraud have been denied by Putin and the Electoral Commission.

Russian election commission to probe absentee ballot mess, Ria Novotsi (2011)

The article reports that over 500,000 absentee ballots handed in to the votes were not used during the elections. The electoral commission has to carry out an investigation on this issue.

Russia protests: Gorbachev calls for election re-run, BBC (2011)

The article reports that Gorbachev, former Soviet Union leader, called for the re-run of the 2011 Duma elections due to the electoral frauds that occurred and the protests all over Russia.

Russian elections: ethnic Armenian representation reduced in Duma, The Armenian Reporter (2011)

The article reports that the Armenian minority representation in the Duma has been reduced in the past Russian election. There were 5 Armenian members of Parliament in the last Duma and they are expected to be between 2 and 4.

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Russians Out In Force Against 'Election Fraud,' More Rallies Threatened, rferl (2011)

The Russian opposition has called on the authorities to annul election results marred by alleged violations and threatened more anti-Kremlin rallies as tens of thousands demonstrated across the country.

Brussels Raises Election Concerns At Russia Summit, rferl (2011)

The European Union used a summit with Russia today to highlight concerns over claims of massive fraud during this month's Russian parliamentary elections.

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Profiles of Russia's 2012 presidential election candidates, BBC (2012)

Russian people will choose one of five presidential election candidates on 4 March 2012: Vladimir Putin, Gennady Zyuganov, Vladimir Zhirinovsky, Sergei Mironov and Mikhail Prokhorov. Mr. Vladimir Putin is considered to win presidential election.

Russia election: Vladimir Putin rejects poll review, BBC (2012)

Protesters in Russia claim for a review of disputed parliamentary election results. To this claim Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says: “there can be no talk of any review”.

Russian watchdog condemns ‘unfair’ election, Euronews (2012)

A Russian independent election watchdog considers presidential election of Russia to be unfair. The Russia’s election law allows for fraud and can be the reason of elimination of opposition politicians in presidential elections.

OSCE/ODIHR opens observation mission for Russian presidential election, OSCE (2012)

The observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) will observe 4 March presidential election in the Russian Federation. Observers will issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions regarding process of election.

Prokhorov Would Attack Putin in Case of Two-Man Runoff, Ria Novosti (2012)

Candidate of presidential elections in Russia Mikhail Prokhorov sees himself and Vladimir Putin as potential rivals in the second round of elections.

Russia Criticizes EU's Foreign Policy Chief for 'Interfering', Voice of America (2012)

The president of the European Commission for International Relations and Security Policy of the European Union, Catherine Ashton, criticized the absence of certain candidates in the polls in Russia. The official spokesman for Russian Foreign Ministry, Alexander Lukashevich advised the president not to interfere into internal affairs.

Anti-Putin protests in Russia show no signs of slowing down, National post (2012)

Anti-Putin protests in Russia continue. The next big protest is expected to be before the presidential election. Opinion polls show Vladimir Putin remains Russia’s most popular politician.

Putin: Russia must "renew democracy", but not hastily, Money control (2012)

Facing the biggest opposition protests, Vladimir Putin acknowledged that many Russians want a stronger voice. Vladimir Putin says: "we need to renew the mechanisms of our democracy”.

Euro Parliament May 'Freeze Contacts' with Duma, ria (2012)

The third largest faction in the European Parliament the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe suggests a freeze on contacts with the Russian State Duma until Russia holds "free and fair parliamentary elections."

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Thousands rally for Putin before Russian election, thesundaily (2012)

Tens of thousands of people demonstrated in cities across Russia in support of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin two weeks before a March 4 presidential election. Opponents say state workers are pressured to attend the pro-Putin rallies.

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Presidential race in Russia: Terminal stage nears, rt (2012)

Four separate rallies with tens of thousands of people are held in Moscow on February 23, a national holiday in Russia. People gather in different parts of Moscow to support Vladimir Putin, Gennady Zyuganov, Vladimir Zhirinovsky or to protest against all of the candidates.

Last Anti-Putin Rally Before Russian Election, skynews (2012)

Anti-Putin demonstrators have formed a human chain in Moscow for the last big protest before presidential election. The presidential election will take place on March 4.

Facing hostility, Putin to win the Kremlin - poll, reuters (2012)

Vladimir Putin is expected to win two thirds of the vote in a March presidential election. However, a significant minority of Russians are unhappy with the political system crafted by Putin.

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Voting LIVE: Russians to monitor elections online, rt (2012)

Each polling station is being equipped with cameras for the March 4 Presidential elections. The information will be broadcasted to several web portals – for everyone to watch online.

Russian presidential vote: Observer overload?, rt (2012)

Up to 176,000 observers are expected to participate in polling stations on March 4 Russian Presidential elections. The Central Election Commission claims the elections are set to be the most transparent in Russia’s history.

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OSCE PA to observe Russian Presidential Elections, OSCE (2012)

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly will observe the Russian presidential elections on 4 March. Vice-President Tonino Picula (Croatia) is nominated to lead the observation mission. The observation mission will assess the elections for their conformity with the OSCE commitments to which the Russian Federation has subscribed.

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Putin eases to third Presidential term, euronews (2012)

Vladimir Putin wins presidential elections in Russia with nearly 64 percent of the vote. Putin’s nearest rival Gennady Zyuganov managed 17 percent of the vote. Opponents are planning protests today in Moscow.

Russia election: Vladimir Putin celebrates victory, BBC News (2012)

The electoral commission said that with more than 99% of the votes counted, Vladimir Putin won 63.75%. A leading independent election watchdog Golos said the polls could not be considered fair and open. Opposition groups alleged fraud and plan a protest rally in Moscow.

Russian Election: Reaction From Candidates and Their Allies, wsj (2012)

The article provides different opinions of candidates after Russia’s presidential elections where Vladimir Putin won the majority of votes.

Russia’s presidential election marked by unequal campaign conditions, active citizens’ engagement, international observers say, OSCE (2012)

The international observers concluded a statement regarding presidential election in Russia. Heidi Tagliavini, the Head of the Election Observation Mission of the OSCE Office says: “Although the authorities made some effort to improve transparency, there remained widespread mistrust in the integrity of the election process”.

PACE Monitors Shed Light on Russian Elections Final Report, ria (2012)

A delegation of monitors from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) stated that the March 4 presidential elections “had a clear winner” and were more transparent then previous polls, but they “lacked broad citizens’ trust” and were marred by abuse of administrative resources in favor of candidate Vladimir Putin.

Elections Chief Admits Astrakhan Violations, the Moscow Times (2012)

Elections chief Vladimir Churov announcing widespread procedural violation during the March 4 Astrakhan's mayoral election after the claim of the candidate Oleg Shein who after lost election announced a hunger strike.

Russian parliament approves direct elections of governors, peopledaily (2012)

Russia's State Duma approved in the final and the third reading a bill re-introducing the direct elections of governors. Russia's State Duma, or the lower house of parliament, on Wednesday approved in the final and the third reading a bill re-introducing the direct elections of governors.

Russia's Medvedev elected ruling party chief, Aljazeera (2012)

United Russia political party elects Dmitrij Medvedev as a ruling party chief after Putin steps down from this position.

Russia: Putin appoints 'The Magician' to investigate election fraud claims, The Telegraph (2012)

Recently elected Russian president Vladimir Putin promises to investigate on alleged violations during the elections.

Russians turn out in their thousands to protest against Vladimir Putin, The Guardian (2012)

Thousands of russians gathered to protest Putins election while opposition leaders were summoned for questioning by Russian authorities.