Russian opposition protests at "unfair" elections

MOSCOW, Jan 10 (Reuters) A Russian opposition lawmaker tried unsuccessfully today to have a new law adopted that would give voters the option of ticking a box on ballot papers saying: ''These elections are not democratic''.

The bill is part of a growing clamour from opposition parties in Russia who complain President Vladimir Putin's administration has skewed elections to make sure only parties loyal to the Kremlin can win.

Some leading figures in the opposition, which has been marginalised by the dominant pro-Kremlin party United Russia, say they may boycott a parliamentary election in December because they are not being given a fair chance.

The bill, proposed by Communist lawmaker Viktor Tyulkin, was rejected after only 93 deputies in the 450-seat lower house of parliament, the State Duma, supported it on its first reading.

''Of course we knew this law would not pass but we have to use the platform of parliament to show our comrades and society again and again what is going on,'' Tyulkin told Reuters.

''My party is consistently the second biggest party in elections and we have, at the least, millions of supporters ... But today we are not being registered to take part in elections and they try to throw us off the ballot.'' ''They (the authorities) adopt laws which make it impossible for poorer organisations to take part ... and all the time they call themselves democrats.'' The Duma election is seen as a dress rehearsal for the 2008 presidential race, when Putin is to step down, and a litmus test of whether the Kremlin is prepared to allow a truly democratic vote.

Putin's opponents say the Kremlin will use its tight grip on the media, bureaucratic muscle and new election rules to thwart opposition parties that refuse to toe the line.

Rule changes have included raising the threshold for parties to qualify for the Duma from five to seven per cent of the vote -- a measure that favours bigger parties like United Russia and could exclude the splintered opposition.

The Kremlin denies elections in Russia are undemocratic. Opinion polls show huge support for Putin, who has overseen strong economic growth. His popularity translates into strong results for United Russia at elections.

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