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Medvedev set to win Russia poll Medvedev set to win Russia poll
(30 minutes later)
The man exit polls suggest has won Russia's presidential election, Dmitry Medvedev, has vowed to continue the course of predecessor Vladimir Putin. The man early results suggest has won Russia's presidential election, Dmitry Medvedev, has vowed to continue the course of predecessor Vladimir Putin.
While cautioning that the full results were not in, Mr Medvedev told reporters he hoped to work in an "effective tandem" with Mr Putin as his PM.While cautioning that the full results were not in, Mr Medvedev told reporters he hoped to work in an "effective tandem" with Mr Putin as his PM.
As president, he said, he would control foreign policy with the defence of Russian interests his chief priority.As president, he said, he would control foreign policy with the defence of Russian interests his chief priority.
Mr Putin, he confirmed, would be moving out of the Kremlin.Mr Putin, he confirmed, would be moving out of the Kremlin.
The state-owned pollster VTsIOM has given Mr Medvedev 69.6% of the vote. Mr Medvedev was leading with 69% of the vote with more than 70% of ballots counted, the Russian election commission reports.
Such a result would hand Mr Medvedev the election outright, without the need for a second round.
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.
Joint appearanceJoint appearance
Mr Putin congratulated the front-runner on his lead. Mr Putin congratulated the front-runner on his lead when they appeared together at a rally in Moscow's Red Square.
The two men earlier appeared together at a rally in Moscow's Red Square. Mr Medvedev, 42, worked as a lawyer before moving to the Kremlin
"We can preserve the path set by Vladimir Putin and we have every chance of doing that," Mr Medvedev told the crowd. Speaking to reporters later, Mr Medvedev said his policies would be "a direct continuation of that path which is being carried out by President Putin".
class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAYRussia's future after the election will be bright as a Democratic nationSinnathamby, Canada class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4394">Send us your comments Asked about foreign policy, he said "the president defines Russia's foreign policy according to the constitution".
A first deputy PM, he was the clear favourite from the start and enjoyed generous television coverage. Russia's priorities would, he said, continue to be its fellow ex-Soviet republics.
On where Mr Putin would work as prime minister, he said "the place of the prime minister and the government is the White House", referring to the government building a few miles from the Kremlin.
A first deputy PM, Mr Medvedev was the clear favourite from the start and enjoyed generous television coverage.
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.
Turnout was high, at nearly 60%, officials said. But there were reports that many workers were told by their bosses to vote. 'Irregularities'
Turnout was high, at nearly 68%, officials said. But there were reports that many workers were told by their bosses to vote.
HAVE YOUR SAYRussia's future after the election will be bright as a Democratic nationSinnathamby, CanadaSend us your comments
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.