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Medvedev set to win Russia poll Medvedev set to win Russia poll
(30 minutes later)
Vladimir Putin's chosen successor, Dmitry Medvedev, is set to win Russia's presidential election by a wide margin, exit polls indicate.Vladimir Putin's chosen successor, Dmitry Medvedev, is set to win Russia's presidential election by a wide margin, exit polls indicate.
The state-owned pollster VTsIOM gave Mr Medvedev 69.6% of the vote.The state-owned pollster VTsIOM gave Mr Medvedev 69.6% of the vote.
His nearest rival was Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov, on nearly 20%. He vowed to go to court over alleged fraud, Itar-Tass news agency reports.His nearest rival was Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov, on nearly 20%. He vowed to go to court over alleged fraud, Itar-Tass news agency reports.
Mr Medvedev, a first deputy PM, was the clear favourite from the start and enjoyed generous television coverage. Mr Putin congratulated the front-runner on his lead, while Mr Medvedev promised to continue the president's policies.
His other rivals in the race were nationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky and little-known outsider Andrei Bogdanov. The two men appeared together at a rally in Moscow's Red Square.
"We can preserve the path set by Vladimir Putin and we have every chance of doing that," Mr Medvedev told the crowd.
A first deputy PM, he was the clear favourite from the start and enjoyed generous television coverage.
AllegationsAllegations
Mr Putin, who has been in office for eight years, was barred by the constitution from seeking a third term, but has pledged to serve as Mr Medvedev's prime minister.Mr Putin, who has been in office for eight years, was barred by the constitution from seeking a third term, but has pledged to serve as Mr Medvedev's prime minister.
HAVE YOUR SAYRussia's future after the election will be bright as a Democratic nationSinnathamby, CanadaSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYRussia's future after the election will be bright as a Democratic nationSinnathamby, CanadaSend us your comments
Turnout was high, at nearly 60%, officials said. But there were reports that many workers were told by their bosses to vote.Turnout was high, at nearly 60%, officials said. But there were reports that many workers were told by their bosses to vote.
Various inducements were also offered to mobilise voters, including cheap food, free cinema tickets or toys, correspondents say.Various inducements were also offered to mobilise voters, including cheap food, free cinema tickets or toys, correspondents say.
After polls closed Mr Zyuganov said there had been widespread irregularities.After polls closed Mr Zyuganov said there had been widespread irregularities.
"We will go to court over this," Itar-Tass quoted him as saying."We will go to court over this," Itar-Tass quoted him as saying.
The Kremlin has dismissed claims of fraud.The Kremlin has dismissed claims of fraud.
There has been very little scrutiny of voting by Western election observers, many of whom stayed away.There has been very little scrutiny of voting by Western election observers, many of whom stayed away.
The main independent Russian observer group, Golos, said the turnout was impossibly high in some regions.The main independent Russian observer group, Golos, said the turnout was impossibly high in some regions.