Putin ally Sergei Sobyanin set to win Moscow mayor poll

Kremlin-backed candidate Sergei Sobyanin is set to win the election for mayor of the Russian capital Moscow, but by a narrow margin, the BBC reported. 

But his main rival, pro-democracy movement leader Alexei Navalny, fared better than expected with 27% so far.

The charismatic politician has already called for a run-off, saying the results were "clear falsifications."

Mr Sobyanin won about 52%, thus taking victory in the first round, partial official results indicate.

According to the electoral commission, Mr Navalny has so far won some 27% based on over 80% of polling stations reporting.

However, the pro-democracy leader has strongly disputed the results, and says he won enough votes to force a run-off.

"What we are seeing now are clear falsifications," he told reporters in a late-night briefing on Sunday.

"We demand that a second round is held. If that is not done, we will appeal to the citizens and ask them to take to the streets of Moscow."

Mr Navalny is currently on bail after being found guilty of embezzlement in what he insists was a political trial.