Russians fear electoral farce

MOST Russian believe forthcoming parliamentary elections will be rigged, an independent poll has found.

Pollster Levada surveyed 1,600 Russians in 45 regions last week and found that just over a third believed the elections would be a real contest which any party might win.

The survey results support fears voiced by the opposition and political analysts over the process of democratic reform in Russia. Prime minister Vladimir Putin's United Russia Party is seeking to hold onto power in the elections due in December.