Putin Wins Presidential Election With 87,28% of the Vote After 100% of Ballots Counted

Russian President Vladimir Putin was successful in his re-election bid after he gained over 80% of the votes and secured a new six-year term following the country's three-day presidential election last week.

Vladimir Putin has won the presidential election in Russia with 87.28% of the votes after 100% of ballots were counted, the latest data from the Russian Central Election Commission (CEC) showed on Monday.

Nikolay Kharitonov, the chairman of the lower house's Far East and Arctic Development Committee, received 4.31% of votes, while Leonid Slutsky, the chairman of the lower house's International Affairs Committee got 3.20% and lower house Deputy Chairman Vladislav Davankov 3.85%, the data showed.

The results of the presidential elections after 100% of the ballots have been counted pic.twitter.com/c7iEpzI4cm

— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) March 18, 2024

This comes after Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the results of the presidential election in Russia are unique.

"The results for incumbent president Putin are completely unique ... [this is] an absolute victory as a candidate," Peskov underscored.

For her part, CEC head Ella Pamfilova said that at least 74.44% of voters cast their ballots in the presidential election, the highest voter turnout in the country’s modern history.

"As of 10 a.m. [Moscow time], 87,113,127 of our voters took part in these elections. That is, our turnout is for the first time, it is record-breaking, unprecedented, it has never been, it is 77.44%," Pamfilova told a CEC meeting.

She also thanked all the international observers who visited Russia "and wanted to see for themselves how the election process is held" in the country. Delegations of observers continue their work on Monday and the number of their complaints may be close to zero, the head of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia and former presidential candidate Leonid Slutsky said.

Russians believe Putin is doing everything to develop the country and improve the lives of citizens, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said about the election result.

Putin's victory is not a reason to slow down the pace of work, it is necessary to fulfill the tasks set… pic.twitter.com/Sc92aiaDhN

— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) March 18, 2024

Pamfilova's remarks followed Putin stressing that the goals for his new presidential term are to carry out the tasks of a special military operation in Ukraine and strengthen the country's defense capability and armed forces during a speech at his election headquarters earlier on Monday.

"First of all, we need to solve tasks of a special military operation, strengthen defense capabilities, strengthen the armed forces - this is happening, we all see, at a very good pace and with excellent quality," the Russian head of state underlined.

He also assured that all plans for the development of Russia, which were previously announced in the presidential State of the Nation address to the Federal Assembly, will be resolved and the goals will be achieved.