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Russian election was most corrupt in country's history, monitoring group says

An election monitoring group has branded the Russian presidential election the most fraudulent and corrupt in its history.

The non-governmental Golos group said the results were not legitimate as "the campaign took place in a situation where the fundamental articles of the Russian Constitution, guaranteeing political rights and freedoms, were essentially not in effect".

"Never before have we seen a presidential campaign that fell so far short of constitutional standards," it said.

Golos said vote observers had been withdrawn after voting began in some regions, while in others they were not sent in the first place.

"In private conversations, representatives of candidates and parties admitted that this was done under pressure," Golos said.

The group cited incidents of voter intimidation, including putting law enforcement officers in polling stations and having them peer over voters' shoulders as they cast their votes.