Voting for a new civic assembly is proceeding smoothly in Russia's second city, St Petersburg, after a campaign marred by violence, intimidation, anti-Semitism and allegations of vote-buying.

Election officials say the turn-out is muchhigher than in previous elections in the city.

A BBC Correspondent in Russia says that the murder of a popular liberal politician, Galina Starovoitova, in St Petersburg two weeks ago seems to have galvanised support for reformers.

The reformers have accused many rival candidates of being linked with organized crime.

They are also opposing attempts by the regional governor, Vladimir Yakovlev -- one of Mrs Starovoitova's political enemies -- to restrict the assembly's powers.