Vladimir Putin Wins Russia's Election in Landslide, Extending One-Man Rule

Exit polls indicate that Vladimir Putin is expected to secure a resounding victory in Russia's election, ensuring his continued leadership for another six years. This projected outcome would mark a significant milestone in post-Soviet politics.

Exit poll conducted by the Public Opinion Foundation (FOM) shows Putin secured an impressive 87.8 percent of the vote as the polls closed on Sunday.

Putin Wins Russia Election 2024

According to Reuters, the voting percentage in Russia's post-Soviet history has reached its highest point. The initial results from FOM's early polls seem to be accurate.

Various media outlets reported that the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Russia has released a preliminary statement declaring Putin as the winner of the election, with approximately 87 percent of the votes. According to reports, the commission also mentioned that voter turnout across the country was approximately 75 percent.

The outcome is set to grant Putin his fifth term as Russia's president, a position he has held for over 20 years since his initial election in late 1999. According to Reuters, this victory will make Putin the longest-serving leader in Russia since Catherine the Great in 1796, surpassing the record previously held by former Soviet Union leader Joseph Stalin.

Before Putin came into power, the Russian Constitution limited presidents to serving only two consecutive terms of four years. However, amendments were made in 2008 during Putin's tenure, which extended the presidential term to six years.

Reuters said the rule preventing presidents from serving more than two terms was removed in 2020 through amendments.

According to FOM's exit polls, the second-place spot was secured by Nikolai Kharitonov, the communist candidate, who garnered just under 5 percent of the vote. In third place was Vladislav Davankov of the New People party, who received over 3 percent of the vote. Leonid Slutsky, a candidate with strong nationalist views, finished in fourth place according to the exit polls.

Putin's victory was widely expected, as two other candidates who opposed the Ukraine invasion were disqualified from running.

A massive protest erupted on Sunday as thousands of individuals sought to cast their ballots in opposition to Putin during the election. Putin has encountered growing resistance following the passing of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who tragically died in a remote Arctic penal colony last month. Navalny expressed support for the upcoming protest shortly before his passing.

His overwhelming victory in the election follows the untimely demise of his most vocal opponent, Alexei Navalny, who passed away in an Arctic prison colony under questionable circumstances. Numerous individuals, including his bereaved spouse, have accused Putin of being responsible.

Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Navalny, joined the protest on Sunday and expressed her determination to persist in her fight against Putin.

Putin Renews Warning Against West

Putin announced his victory tonight, emphasizing the need for a stronger and more effective Russia. He remains focused on reshaping the global landscape and implementing strategies to challenge Western influence.

In the midst of widespread 'Noon Against Putin' protests in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and Russian embassies worldwide, the leader chose to mark the overwhelming vote in the capital and urged authorities to take action against those who invalidated their ballots.

He criticized the West, warning that the deployment of its troops in Ukraine could potentially escalate tensions to the point of a global conflict. However, he also mentioned that there seemed to be little appetite for such a scenario.

The election victory, which could have been announced even before a single ballot box was examined, ensures that the Russian President's era of domestic repression and confrontations with the West will persist until at least 2030.

If he is given the opportunity to govern for another six years, it would make Putin the longest-serving Russian leader since Catherine the Great in the 18th century, showcasing his deep knowledge and interest in history, Daily Mail reported.

Since the little-known KGB agent's victory on New Year's Eve 1999, he has effectively consolidated power by asserting control over oligarchs and suppressing any significant opposition, resulting in Russia becoming an authoritarian state.

During his tenure, there was a significant economic boom in Moscow as the country capitalized on its abundant energy resources. However, his administration later implemented strict measures to suppress any form of dissent.