Protests follow 'rigged' Russian elections

photo - EPA/Anatoly Malstev

Buzek, a former prime minister of Poland, regretted the “limited political competition and lack of honesty” in the ballot which saw a return to power of Vladimir Putin's United Russia party at the weekend.

Since the results were announced, thousands have took to the streets in Moscow and other cities chanting “Putin is a thief” and “Putin to Siberia”, which have led to over 250 arrests, according to various media sources.

At an OSCE meeting in Vilnius, US secretary of state Hilary Clinton said: “We have serious concerns about the conduct of the elections. Independent political parties, such as PARNAS, were denied the right to register. And the preliminary report by the OSCE cites election day attempts to stuff ballot boxes, manipulate voter lists and other troubling practices.”

Russia's foreign ministry has responded by saying Clinton's comments are "unacceptable".

Free and fair?

“Russians deserve a fully fledged democracy,” Jerzy Buzek said, Tuesday.

“The large turnout shows that the Russians care about their responsibilities and rights as citizens and deserve a free, transparent and fair electoral process,” he stressed.

The president of the European Parliament called for the immediate release of all unjustly detained during the protests that followed the elections and to put an end to intimidation of people who are "legitimately calling for a more fair and free political system".

Results show the United Russia party got 49.5 percent of the vote, giving it a slim 13-seat majority. (pg)