Clinton voices 'serious concerns' about Russian election
The United States has “serious concerns” about the conduct of Russia’s parliamentary elections, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said today.
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s party saw its majority in Russia’s parliament weaken sharply, according to preliminary election results released Monday.
Mrs Clinton said that international monitors have raised questions about possible ballot-stuffing and manipulation of voter lists “and other troubling practices”.
She said Washington is also concerned that internal Russian election monitors were harassed, including by cyber attacks on their websites.
“Russian voters deserve a full investigation of all credible reports of electoral fraud and manipulation and we hope in particular that then Russian authorities will take action” on reports that come forward, she said.
She said, “The Russian people, like people everywhere, deserve the right to have their voices heard and their votes counted. That means they deserve free, fair, transparent elections and leaders who are accountable to them.”
| Related Stories: |
|
