US says Russian presidential election 'can only be described as undemocratic'

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - Russia's recent presidential election in which Vladimir Putin secured a fifth term in office "can only be described as undemocratic," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday.

"Russia’s recent presidential election occurred in an environment of intense repression of independent voices and the imprisonment, death, or exile of virtually all genuine political opposition," Blinken said in a statement.

"These steps illustrate the extent to which the Kremlin has denied its citizens a transparent, meaningful democratic process. Against this backdrop, this election can only be described as undemocratic," he added.

Putin received an overwhelming 87.28% of the vote in Russia's three-day presidential election after 100% of the ballots were tallied, the country’s election authority said Monday.

Putin's closest competitor, Nikolai Kharitonov, supported by Russia's Communist Party, received 4.3% of votes, while the New People party's Vladislav Davankov got 3.84%, followed by Liberal Democratic Party of Russia candidate Leonid Slutsky with 3.21%, according to official figures.

The elections were held roughly one month after the death of opposition leader Alexey Navalny, who died under unexplained circumstances.

Blinken said Navalny died "after years of harassment and cruel treatment at the hands of Russian authorities for his continued efforts to foster genuine democracy in Russia."

"Vladimir Putin is depriving Russian citizens of access to information. Regardless of the pre-determined outcome of this election, the United States will continue to stand with those who are pursuing a brighter future for Russia," he added.