Putin allies win striking victory but worries over human rights

ALLIES of President Vladimir Putin won a sweeping victory in parliamentary elections, but human rights officials condemned the vote on Monday as short of international legal requirements and a retreat from Russia’s democratic reforms.

With over 98% of the vote counted, United Russia a pro-Putin party led by cabinet ministers won 37.1%, leaving its rivals far behind, Central Election Commission chairman Alexander Veshnyakov said.

The Communists were next, with 12.7%, followed by the party of flamboyant nationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia at 11.6%.