Opposition parties say there's been widespread fraud and intimidation in Russia's parliamentary elections President Vladimir Putin's United Russia party was expected to win a majority of up to 65 percent of votes, a show of public support which Putin hopes to use as a mandate to retain influence after his second presidential term ends next year. The former World chess champion and arch Kremlin critic, Garry Kasparov accused the Russian authorities of "raping the whole electoral system." The Kremlin called the vote democratic and transparent.