MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. Russia’s ruling United Russia party must ensure the legitimacy and transparency of the win of its candidate - incumbent President Vladimir Putin - at the upcoming presidential election, Dmitry Medvedev, the party’s leader, said.

"The president’s victory, Vladimir Putin’s victory as our candidate, must be absolutely legitimate and absolutely unchallengeable. This is the task for each United Russia member," he said at the party’s 21st congress.