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Russia to announce official election results Friday

According to preliminary results, the United Russia Party received 49.3 percent of votes, the Communists are second with 19.2 percent, the Just Russia is third with 13.25 percent
Photo ITAR-TASS
Photo ITAR-TASS

MOSCOW, December 9 (Itar-Tass) —— The Russian Central Election Commission (CEC) is to announce the official results of the December 4 parliamentary election late on Friday.

The commission is to meet at 20:00 hours Moscow time.

According to preliminary results, the ruling United Russia Party received 49.3 percent of votes, the Communists are second with 19.2 percent, the Just Russia is third with 13.25 percent followed by Liberal-Democrats of Vladimir Zhirinovsky with 11.7 percent.

Three other parties failed to overcome the 7-percent election hurdle. The liberal Yabloko received 3.43 percent, followed by Patriots of Russia with 0.97 percent and the Right Cause with 0.6 percent.

The preliminary results give United Russia 238 seats in the State Duma, the Communists will have 92, Just Russia – 64, and LDPR – 56.

The preliminary results triggered opposition protests in Moscow and St. Petersburg because of alleged rigging of results in favor of United Russia.

President Dmitry Medvedev said all reported violations shall be thoroughly investigated and suggested the CEC should not hurry with announcing the final results.

The law gives the CEC two weeks to announce the final results.