Public dissatisfaction over alleged fraud in Russia's parliamentary elections brought out more street protests in both Moscow and St. Petersburg on Sunday.

The protests against the ruling United Russia party of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin were organized by the country's Communist party, the runner-up in the December 4th polls.

The thousands of protesters who turned out this Sunday were far fewer than the tens of thousands who filled the streets of Russia's capital and other cities a week ago.

Both the opposition and outside observers say there were widespread irregularities and outright fraud in the vote count.

The demonstrations come less than three months before Russia's presidential election, which is widely expected to return Mr. Putin to the presidency.

Mr. Putin was elected president in 2000 and 2004 but Russia's constitution made him ineligible to seek a third consecutive term in 2008. He was then named prime minister by his successor as president, Dimitry Medvedev.

Last month, Mr. Putin formally accepted his party's nomination to run again for the presidency. He says if elected, he will appoint President Medvedev as his prime minister.

The job swap deal has angered many in Russia, who say it would strengthen authoritarian rule and clear the way for Mr. Putin to become Russia's longest-serving leader since communist times.