KEY POINTS:
Europe's main election watchdog yesterday pulled its observers out of Russia's presidential vote, blaming obstruction by Moscow, a step likely to inflict new damage to Russia's already frayed image as a democratic state.
Dmitry Medvedev, an ally of outgoing President Vladimir Putin, is overwhelming favourite to win a March 2 contest that Kremlin opponents already say is slanted in his favour.
The election watchdog will not now be giving its verdict on the election because it said Russian restrictions made a meaningful monitoring mission impossible.
- REUTERS
