The observers criticized the work of the media and misuse of administrative resources in a number of regions.

The elections to the Russian State Duma were transparent but challenges to democratic commitments remain, the OSCE observers said in a statement on Monday.

"The 18 September State Duma elections in the Russian Federation were transparently administered by the Central Election Commission, but challenges to democratic commitments remain," the statement says.

The observers criticized the work of the media and misuse of administrative resources in a number of regions.

"Election day was orderly overall, but the long-term observation showed that challenges to democratic commitments remain, especially with regard to the media, candidate registration and legal framework," said Ambassador Jan Petersen, Head of the OSCE/ODIHR long-term election observation mission.

The ruling United Russia party obtained 343 seats in the 450-seat State Duma after the September 18 elections, securing a constitutional majority, according to the preliminary results. The Communist Party and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR) got 42 seats and 39 seats, respectively. A Just Russian party will have 23 seats. The Rodina and Civil Platform will also get one seat each. One seat goes to self-nominated candidate Vladislav Reznik.

First published by TASS.

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