Putin re-elected Russian president for a fifth term

Russia's Central Election Commission has announced preliminary results of the presidential election. Vladimir Putin received 87.28% of the vote, the highest result in the history of Russian presidential elections. Turnout was about 77%.

Communist Party candidate Nikolai Kharitonov came second, Vladislav Davankov of New People third and Leonid Slutsky of the LDPR fourth.

Voting lasted three days, from 15 to 17 March, including in the occupied territories of Ukraine. Independent observers reported pressure on voters and violations.

Western countries said the election was neither free nor fair. The leaders of a number of CIS countries, China and Iran congratulated Putin.