Freedom of Russia’s elections hotly disputed

RUSSIA’S political parties enjoy “free and equal competition” ahead of tomorrow’s parliamentary election, President Dmitry Medvedev insisted, as voters complained of record violations by the Kremlin party and the only independent election monitoring group was prosecuted.

Seven Kremlin-approved parties have been allowed to field candidates this year, while the most vocal opposition groups have been denied registration and barred from campaigning.

Medvedev made an apparent call to vote for the dominant United Russia Party and warned that a parliament made up of diverse political camps would be incapable of working for the good of the country.