Russia’s election - Bầu cử ở Nga

United Russia’s election results ‘success’ - Putin (2011)

Russia State Duma Elections	Bầu cử ở Nga
The governing United Russia party has done well in the State Duma elections, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Monday.	Đảng cầm quyền Nga đã tổ chức thành công cuộc bầu cử Duma quốc gia, thủ tướng Nga Vladimir Putin tuyên bố hôm thứ hai.
The party just retained a majority in Sunday’s elections, winning 238 of 450 seats, a significant decline from the 315 seats it claimed four years ago.	Đảng chỉ chiếm đa số phiếu trong những cuộc bầu cử vào ngày chủ nhật, giành được 238 trong số 450 ghế, một sự giảm sút đáng kể so với kết quả đã đạt được 4 năm trước đây.
“Two hundred and twenty six votes are required to pass laws; United Russia is to get 238 seats - this enables us to work calmly and consistently, ensuring stability,” he said.	Putin đã phát biểu “cần 226 ghế để thông qua luật định, đảng Nước Nga thống nhất đã giành được 238 ghế, điều này có thể làm cho chúng ta làm việc bình tĩnh và kiên định hơn, đảm bảo một tình trạng ổn định”
“It will be no exaggeration to say that in recent years United Russia has served as a significant foundation of our political stability so its successful showing in the election is important not only for the government but for the country as a whole.”	“Sẽ không có gì là cường điệu khi nói rằng những năm gần đây đảng Nước Nga thống nhất đã đóng vai trò nền tảng quan trọng cho sự ổn định chính trị của chúng ta, vì vậy sự thành công thể hiện trong cuộc bầu cử là rất quan trọng không chỉ cho chính phủ mà còn cho toàn thể quốc gia.”
The second-placed Communist Party won 92 seats, a some 30% increase from 2007. The nationalistic Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR) and the A Just Russia party also saw their share of the vote increase	Đảng Cộng sản đứng ở vị trí thứ 2 giành được 92 ghế, tăng khoảng 30% so với năm 2007. Đảng dân chủ tự do quốc gia (LDPR) và Đảng Nga công bằng cũng có sự gia tăng trong chia sẻ số phiếu.
Earlier in the day, President Dmitry Medvedev, who headed United Russia’s ticket at the polls and may head the new government after he steps down in March, reaffirmed that United Russia is ready to form blocs and coalitions in the new Duma	Những ngày gần đây, Tổng thống Dmitri Medvedev, người mà dẫn đầu số phiếu trong cuộc bầu cử ở Nga và có thể đứng đầu chính phủ mới sau khi mãn nhiệm vào tháng 3, đã xác nhận lại lần nữa rằng đảng Nước Nga thống nhất sẵn sàng hình thành một khối liên minh mới ở Duma mới.
Translated by Bích Trâm Diệp Thị diepthibichtram@gmail.com

U.S. worried by reports of electoral violations in Russia

Topic: Russian State Duma Elections (2011)

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney

© AFP/ Jewel Samad

01:53 06/12/2011

WASHINGTON, December 6 (RIA Novosti)

The U.S. administration is worried about reports of electoral violations during the December 4 parliamentary elections in Russia, a White House spokesman said.

International observers from the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe reported "flagrant procedural violations," including cases of ballot-stuffing.

"We have serious concerns about the conduct of those December 4th parliamentary elections," Jay Carney said.

U.S. officials said they were concerned by estimates given by European monitors from ODIHR, PACE and OSCE. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed her concern about the election process earlier in the day.

"These concerns are reflected in the preliminary report issued by the OSCE's Election Observation Mission, including a lack of fairness in the process, attempts to stuff ballot boxes, and the manipulation of voter lists among other things," the White House spokesman said.

Sunday's elections were marred by widespread allegations of poll procedure in favor of United Russia, with dozens of clips appearing to show election fraud uploaded onto the Internet.

OSCE observers noted that the preparations for the elections were technically "well-administered across a vast territory," but marked by "a convergence of the state and the governing party," limited political competition and a lack of fairness.

The contest was slanted in favor of the ruling party: the election administration lacked independence, most media were partial and state authorities interfered unduly at different levels, OSCE said.

"Equally concerning are reports that independent Russian election observation efforts, including the nationwide Golos network and independent media outlets encountered harassment of their personnel and cyberattacks on their websites," Carney added.

U.S. Department of State Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner said his country would provide greater support to non-governmental organizations in Russia for greater transparency of the March 4 presidential elections. Over $9 million were allocated from the Department of State budget for the purpose.

"We have, I know, spent more than $9 million to support free and transparent processes for Russia's upcoming elections," Toner said.

"Our interest is to support these NGOs that support the process, not necessarily to support... any given political party," he went on. "And Golos, by the way, is just one of many nongovernmental organizations in Russia that receive this kind of assistance."

The polls saw the ruling United Russia party suffer its worst ever nationwide result. While the party of Prime Minster Vladimir Putin and President Dmitry Medvedev managed to hold onto a simple parliamentary majority, its share of the vote slumped from 64% to just under 50%.

Moscow protest against alleged electoral fraud
Topic:Russian State Duma Elections (2011)

A crowd estimated at up to 5,000 gathered in central Moscow on Monday to demonstrate against alleged election fraud at Sunday's parliamentary polls. Some 300 people were arrested.