Putin wins Russia’s election, secures control for another 6 years

President Vladimir Putin of Russia has secured another victory after the Russian presidential election held over the weekend, described by western observers as a mere “sham”.

Putin received 87.29% of the vote, Russia’s election commission said Monday after more than 99% of ballots had been counted.

That was his highest-ever tally and far more than the 76.69% in 2018.

The commission reported that turnout was 77.44%, the highest in Russia’s modern history.

With the victory, President Putin has ensured his tight-grip control over Russia for another six years.

What did he say about his election victory?

Speaking after the election, Putin said the vote represented a desire for “internal consolidation”.

The consolidation, he noted, would allow the country to “act effectively at the front line”, economy and other areas.

The recent election took place amidst the harshest crackdown on opposition and free speech since Soviet times.

According to sources, the vote was orchestrated to legitimize the leadership of Putin at the age of 71.

Putin’s crackdown on dissent has left his rivals dead, jailed or in exile.

He has led Russia for 24 years already with his war against their eastern neighbors, Ukraine, running in its third year.

Russian voter casts her vote during the recently concluded presidential election

Here are some key points of the outcome of the election which final results will be announced later:

Controversies and Allegations

Putin’s critics were barred from running in the election, including supporters of Alexei Navalny, who recently died in prison under controversial circumstances.

Reports of ballot stuffing and forced voting raised concerns about electoral integrity.

Living standards and allegations of corruption from Navalny likely influenced support for Putin’s party.

Putin’s Popularity

Putin has remained popular among many Russians who credit him with standing up to the West and restoring national pride.

His TV address thanked voters for their trust and emphasized United Russia’s role as the leading party⁴.

Protests and Criticism

Supporters of Aleksei Navalny have called for protests, condemning the election result as illegitimate.

The West has expectedly criticized Putin’s victory as another breach of international law.

Putin’s party retained its majority, though controversies and allegations reportedly marred the election process, with critics voicing their dissent.

How long has Putin been in power?

Vladimir Putin has been in power for approximately 24 years.

He first became President of Russia in 1999, serving two terms until 2008.

After a brief stint as Prime Minister, he returned to the presidency in 2012 and has remained in that position since then.

His continued influence and control over Russian politics have been a topic of both domestic and international scrutiny.

Putin at 71 will now be president until at least 2030, entering a fifth term in a country whose Constitution ostensibly limits presidents to two.

The vote, the first since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, was designed to create a public mandate for the war.

It is also aimed at restoring Putin’s image as the embodiment of stability, though, Russians are unsure what changes the vote might bring.

Who has congratulated Putin so far?

In the meantime, some world leaders have congratulated Putin on his “big win”.

These include a number of friendly nations like China, North Korea, Iran, Belarus and Venezuela.

No Western leader has congratulated him as the United States, Germany and Britain, dismissed the election result as “sham” and neither free nor fair.

Russian elections have for years been tainted by mass fraud allegations.

The latest result, however, seems to have erased all doubts, if any, as the overwhelming endorsement claimed by Putin’s team will likely raise more suspicions than clarity.

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