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United Russia says Duma election absolutely legitimate

The voter turnout was 60.2 percent - more than 60 million people

MOSCOW, December 8 (Itar-Tass) —— In the United Russia there is no doubt about the legitimacy of the Duma elections, the secretary of the Presidium of the United Russia General Council’s presidium, Sergei Neverov, said on Thursday.

"Without a doubt the December 4 elections were transparent and open," he told reporters, recalling that taking part in them were all political parties registered at the Ministry of Justice.”

"All had the opportunity to present to the public their programs and compete for voter support. At these elections each of the parties got the result that it had counted on, and which it forecast on the eve of the elections," Neverov said.

He also recalled that the voter turnout was 60.2 percent, more than 60 million people, "and therefore the elected parliament is legitimate."

Neverov also pointed out that 98.44 percent of the ballots in these elections had been cast for political parties, and the number of invalid ballot papers was comparable to that in the previous elections, "in spite of the campaign for spoiling ballot papers." This, according to Neverov, "shows the maturity of civic society."

"People approached their choice with responsibility and they chose to vote for those political forces, whose positions are close to them," he believes.

In addition, according to Neverov, "the legitimacy of the elected parliament, as well as of democratic and transparent elections and voting was confirmed by numerous international inspectors."

"At all the polling stations there were observers from all political parties," he added.

Neverov drew attention to the fact that the results of exit polls conducted by several sociological services "practically coincided with the actual results of the vote," which in his opinion, is "one more argument in favor of honest vote counting."

He is certain that in this situation the opposition does not want to make a coherent assessment of the outcome of elections.

"The opposition apparently believes that a theatrical pause will let it get additional political dividends," he believes.

If the opposition had real statistics of violations that could affect the outcome of the elections, it would behave differently. Moreover, Neverov says that "the opposition parties had the initial intention to declare that the elections would be rigged."

For this, he said, "days before the election video clips and photos of allegedly committed polling day violations" were made.

"If they believe that the election is invalid, then may they abdicate from their seats. They were offered this option a few days ago by the CEC head Vladimir Churov. But no one, as we have seen, has refused to take one’s seat," concluded Neverov.