With no challengers, Putin back as Russia Prez
Moscow, March 19: Vladimir Putin won a landslide election victory on Sunday, extending his presidency by another six years as he easily breezed past a field of minor candidates left by the disqualification of his only credible rival.
Mr Putin, who has ruled Russia for almost two decades, recorded his best election performance with 76.67 per cent of the vote but rejected the possibility of staying in power indefinitely.
The Opposition said the results were rigged, reporting ballot stuffing and other cases of alleged fraud as the Kremlin pushed for a high turnout to give greater legitimacy to Mr Putin’s historic fourth term.
Mr Putin, who has extended his power until at least 2024 and is already Russia’s longest- serving leader since Stalin, ruled out remaining President for life.
“Listen to me. It seems to me that what you are saying is a bit funny,” he told reporters Sunday night when asked if he saw himself running for President again in 2030.
“What, am I going to sit here until I am 100 years old? No.”
The Russian strongman ran against seven other candidates, but his most vocal critic Alexei Navalny was barred from the ballot for legal reasons and the final outcome was never in doubt.
While Communist candidate Pavel Grudinin trailed as a distant second with less than 12 per cent votes, none of the other six pre- approved candidates rose above the single digits.
“I see in this ( result) the confidence and hope of our people,” Mr Putin said in an address to a crowd of supporters on a square next to the Kremlin after exit polls put him on track for a resounding victory.
Turnout was at more than 67 per cent as authorities used both the carrot and the stick to boost engagement in the polls.
Selfie competitions, giveaways, food festivals and children’s entertainers were laid on at polling stations in a bid to create a festive atmosphere around the election.
Moscow faces increasing global isolation over its interventions in Ukraine and in Syria.
What, am I going to sit here until I am 100 years old? No... I see in this ( result) the confidence and hope of our people. — Vladimir Putin, Russian President