Growing chorus of complaints taints Russian election

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Source: Reuters

MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin's party stands to win an overwhelming majority in Russia's parliamentary election on Sunday but the victory is likely to be undermined by accusations the Kremlin has tipped the scales in its favor.

Putin, 55, has repeatedly promised to step down after his second presidential term ends next May. But he wants to retain power and influence afterwards and says a strong victory for his United Russia party in parliament will give him that mandate.

This, analysts say, has turned the election into a referendum on Putin, by far Russia's most popular politician.

It is not a vote the Kremlin intends to lose.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL2945566320071129