Observers monitoring this weekend's election in Russia have said it failed to meet many Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe ( OSCE) and Council of Europe commitments.
The International Election Observation Mission also questioned the willingness of Russia to move towards European standards for democratic elections.
The body said the run-up to the election was characterised by extensive use of the state apparatus and media favoritism to benefit the largest pro-presidential party. It said this was reflected in voter apathy.
However, it also said the Central Election Commission deserved credit for its professional organisation of the elections.
Mr Bruce George, president of the parliamentary assembly of the OSCE, told a news conference: "In this election the enormous advantage of incumbency and access to state equipment, resources and buildings led to the election result being overwhelmingly distorted"
The group said irregularities were noted concerning the protection of the secrecy of the vote but that the conduct of voting was positive in an overwhelming majority of polling stations.
Some 500 international observers from 42 countries monitored the voting and counting from Vladivostok to St. Petersburg.