Observers slam 'slanted' Russian election

European election observers today criticised Russia’s presidential vote, saying that slanted coverage in the state-run media made for a one-sided campaign that fell short of democratic standards.

The campaign and balloting “overall did not adequately reflect principles necessary for a positive democratic election process”, said Julian Peel Yates, head of a joint mission from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.