KOSTROMA, Russia (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin's party or candidates loyal to him have swept the board in local elections but in one region Reuters found signs of ballot stuffing, multiple voting and undue pressure on voters.
Public opinion, the Kremlin's control of the media and a dirty tricks campaign against an already enfeebled opposition ensured Putin's United Russia party would have triumphed anyway in Sunday's voting. Opinion polls show Putin is popular and there was no sign that ballot rigging was widespread.
