Votes are being counted in Russia’s parliamentary election, which has been dogged by allegations of fraud. Early results put President Vladimir Putin’s party in the lead, and an exit poll predicted a resounding victory.

The Kremlin’s most vocal critics were barred from running, and there have been numerous reports of ballot stuffing and forced voting. The election commission has dismissed the complaints, saying they are part of a well-financed campaign from abroad. Polling stations closed on Sunday evening following three days of voting. In its initial set of results, the election commission said that with 9% of ballots counted nationwide, the United Russia party had won more than 38% of the vote. An exit poll conducted by Insomar and published by Russia’s Ria news agency predicted that the party would win just over 45% of the vote.(BBC)…[+]

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to the new mayor of Johannesburg, following his death in a car crash aged 46. Jolidee Matongo had been campaigning with Mr Ramaphosa before the accident. His vehicle collided with a van while trying to avoid a pedestrian who had run on to the road, local media report. The pedestrian and the other vehicle’s driver also died, while Mr Matongo’s two bodyguards are being treated in hospital for their injuries. Mr Matongo only became mayor on 10 August following the death of his predecessor from Covid complications. Local media report he was the son of a Zimbabwean migrant, and had been a political activist in South Africa since the age of 13, campaigning against apartheid – a legalised system of racism that was in place at the time.(BBC)…[+]

Philippine boxing star Manny Pacquiao says he is to run for president in next year’s election. He was nominated as a candidate by a faction of the ruling party, PDP-Laban. On top of a glittering career as a fighter, Mr Pacquiao, 42, is a senator in the Philippines’ parliament. Incumbent Rodrigo Duterte is barred from another term but has been picked by a rival party faction to run for vice-president, a move critics say is an attempt to cling to power. He was selected to run alongside a close ally, Christopher “Bong” Go, but Mr Go says he does not want to succeed Mr Duterte. While his party says it wants Mr Go to reconsider his decision, his rejection of the nomination has led to suggestions that President Duterte’s daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio could join him on the ticket. As a boxer, Mr Pacquiao won world titles in an unprecedented eight different weight divisions. He lost his most recent bout against a Cuban opponent and said he was considering retiring. Accepting the nomination, he said: “I am a fighter, and I will always be a fighter inside and outside the ring.” Mr Pacquiao has pledged to campaign against poverty and corruption. He is a popular figure in his home country but faces an uphill battle, trailing in opinion polls consistently topped by Sara Duterte-Carpio. It is not clear which of the PDP-Laban factions will be recognised by the country’s electoral commission for the 2022 election.(BBC)…[+]