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Russia election: Vladimir Putin celebrates victory | Russia election: Vladimir Putin celebrates victory |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Vladimir Putin and his supporters are celebrating victory in Russian elections, that will give him a third presidential term after spending the last four years as the country's PM. | Vladimir Putin and his supporters are celebrating victory in Russian elections, that will give him a third presidential term after spending the last four years as the country's PM. |
With more than 99% of the ballots counted, he secured nearly 64% of the vote, election officials say. | |
Mr Putin told supporters in Moscow he had won in an open and honest battle. | Mr Putin told supporters in Moscow he had won in an open and honest battle. |
But opposition groups claim widespread fraud, and plan a protest rally in Moscow later on Monday. | But opposition groups claim widespread fraud, and plan a protest rally in Moscow later on Monday. |
The independent election watchdog Golos says Mr Putin won just over 50% - far less than the official figure given by the election commission. | The independent election watchdog Golos says Mr Putin won just over 50% - far less than the official figure given by the election commission. |
It says it received numerous reports of "carousel" voting - in which voters cast multiple ballots. | It says it received numerous reports of "carousel" voting - in which voters cast multiple ballots. |
'Believe in Putin' | 'Believe in Putin' |
Tens of thousands of supporters of Mr Putin - with Russian flags and banners - took part in a concert outside the Kremlin to celebrate his victory late on Sunday. | Tens of thousands of supporters of Mr Putin - with Russian flags and banners - took part in a concert outside the Kremlin to celebrate his victory late on Sunday. |
Making a brief appearance with current President Dmitry Medvedev, Mr Putin thanked his supporters from "every corner" of the country. | Making a brief appearance with current President Dmitry Medvedev, Mr Putin thanked his supporters from "every corner" of the country. |
The clear majority of the vote for Vladimir Putin, being predicted by exit polls almost the moment polls closed, probably came as no surprise to many Russians. | The clear majority of the vote for Vladimir Putin, being predicted by exit polls almost the moment polls closed, probably came as no surprise to many Russians. |
Those who favour him would say that it reinforced their view that his experience and strongman style always made him the most appropriate candidate for president. | Those who favour him would say that it reinforced their view that his experience and strongman style always made him the most appropriate candidate for president. |
Those opposed to him would say it confirmed their suspicion that this Russian presidential election, like the parliamentary elections in December, was once again not a fair reflection of the country's preferences, but a precooked theatrical display, manipulated to produce the result the Kremlin always wanted. | Those opposed to him would say it confirmed their suspicion that this Russian presidential election, like the parliamentary elections in December, was once again not a fair reflection of the country's preferences, but a precooked theatrical display, manipulated to produce the result the Kremlin always wanted. |
It will take time to confirm whether or not the suspicions of violations hold water. | It will take time to confirm whether or not the suspicions of violations hold water. |
In the meantime, a pro-Putin election rally in front of the Kremlin, has already sent out a message that the contest is over and the third age of "Putinism", his return to the presidency for a third time, is now beyond dispute. | In the meantime, a pro-Putin election rally in front of the Kremlin, has already sent out a message that the contest is over and the third age of "Putinism", his return to the presidency for a third time, is now beyond dispute. |
"I promised you we would win, and we won," he said, his eyes watering. "Glory to Russia!" | "I promised you we would win, and we won," he said, his eyes watering. "Glory to Russia!" |
"We have won in an open and honest battle. | "We have won in an open and honest battle. |
"We proved that no one can force anything on us." | "We proved that no one can force anything on us." |
Slogans on the banner included "Putin - our president" and "We believe in Putin", but there were indications that some participants had been ordered to attend. | Slogans on the banner included "Putin - our president" and "We believe in Putin", but there were indications that some participants had been ordered to attend. |
Mr Putin, who supported Mr Medvedev in the Kremlin race in 2008 and became prime minister because of a constitutional ban on a third consecutive term as president, will now be in office until 2018. He could then run for another six-year term. | Mr Putin, who supported Mr Medvedev in the Kremlin race in 2008 and became prime minister because of a constitutional ban on a third consecutive term as president, will now be in office until 2018. He could then run for another six-year term. |
There was tight security around the capital, with 6,000 extra police brought in from outside. | There was tight security around the capital, with 6,000 extra police brought in from outside. |
'Grandiose scale of falsifications' | 'Grandiose scale of falsifications' |
At a news briefing on Monday, the electoral commission said that with more than 99% of the votes counted, Mr Putin won 63.75%, enough to give him a first-round victory over nearest rival Gennady Zyuganov, who polled 17.19% | |
The other three candidates were in single digits. | The other three candidates were in single digits. |
The turnout is predicted to be about 63%. | |
After the polls closed, Mr Zyuganov described the elections as "unfair and unworthy". | |
But he said that with increasing public anger, Mr Putin "would not be able to rule like he used to". | But he said that with increasing public anger, Mr Putin "would not be able to rule like he used to". |
"These elections cannot be considered legitimate in any way," said Vladimir Ryzhkov, one of the leaders of the street protest movement, which was not represented in the election. | "These elections cannot be considered legitimate in any way," said Vladimir Ryzhkov, one of the leaders of the street protest movement, which was not represented in the election. |
Meanwhile Mr Putin's campaign chief Stanislav Govorukhin described the poll as "the cleanest in Russian history". | Meanwhile Mr Putin's campaign chief Stanislav Govorukhin described the poll as "the cleanest in Russian history". |
The election was held against a backdrop of popular discontent, sparked by allegations of widespread fraud during December's parliamentary elections in favour of Mr Putin's United Russia party. | The election was held against a backdrop of popular discontent, sparked by allegations of widespread fraud during December's parliamentary elections in favour of Mr Putin's United Russia party. |
The alleged fraud came despite the presence of thousands of independent observers and web cameras at polling stations. | The alleged fraud came despite the presence of thousands of independent observers and web cameras at polling stations. |
Opposition blogger and anti-corruption campaigner Alexey Navalny told the BBC: "Grandiose scale of falsifications, especially in Moscow... mass use of carousel voting." | Opposition blogger and anti-corruption campaigner Alexey Navalny told the BBC: "Grandiose scale of falsifications, especially in Moscow... mass use of carousel voting." |
Are you in Russia? What is your reaction to the exit polls? Send us your comments using the form below. | Are you in Russia? What is your reaction to the exit polls? Send us your comments using the form below. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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