Moscow (CNN)Russian President Vladimir Putin's United Russia party is winning Sunday's parliamentary elections, despite the presence of hundreds of opposition candidates on the ballot.
Russia's Central Election Commission reported United Russia candidates are winning in 136 constituencies, after having counted ballots from about 11 of the votes so far, TASS reported, with the Liberal Democratic Party winning a little more than 17.
Opposition candidates got air time on state TV In past votes, most opposition candidates have been blocked or excluded. But in Sunday's election, hundreds of Kremlin critics were allowed to run for office -- although some have complained of threats and harassment.
Some were even given air time on Kremlin-controlled state television, which is normally free of any opposition voices. " think they should create some kind of picture that elections are free and fair in accordance with international standards," said Mikhail Kasyanov, leader of the PARNAS opposition party. But that picture is not accurate, say critics.
Sinister videos Kasyanov, a former prime minister turned vocal critic of Putin, has been targeted repeatedly.
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