'Widespread violations' in Russian presidential polling

Russsian observers today warned they are seeing widespread violations in elections expected to return Vladimir Putin to the Kremlin, despite efforts to give the appearance of a fair vote.

Putin, who was president in 2000-2008, is all but certain to easily defeat his four challengers. But if credible evidence of vote manipulation emerges, it would call into question the legitimacy of his win and bolster the determination of opposition forces to continue the unprecedented wave of protests that arose in December.