Initial turnout is reportedly high in Russia's parliamentary election - Journal (english) 02.12.2007 10 UTC

Initial turnout is reportedly high in Russia's parliamentary election. Eleven parties are taking part - but opinion polls say President Vladimir Putin's United Russia Party is set to take at least two thirds of the votes for the 450 seat Duma. Observers outside Russia, and members of opposition parties, have questioned whether today's poll will be free and fair. There will be some 400 international observers on hand - but none from Europe's main monitoring body, the OSCE.