Vladimir Putin Wins Record 88% in Russia’s Presidential Election
Published Date: March 17, 2024
By Reuters
President Vladimir Putin has emerged victorious in Russia’s presidential election, securing a record-breaking 88% of the vote, according to exit polls and preliminary results. This landslide victory reaffirms Putin’s formidable hold on power, despite the symbolic protests staged by thousands of opponents at polling stations.
The early results indicate that Putin, who has been in power since 1999, is poised to secure a new six-year term as Russia’s leader. This would make him the country’s longest-serving leader in over 200 years, surpassing Josef Stalin.
Exit polls conducted by pollsters FOM and the Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VCIOM) showed that Putin received 87.8% and 87% of the vote, respectively. The accuracy of these polls was supported by the first official results.
Despite fervent opposition challenging Putin’s claim to an overwhelming mandate, his victory is all but certain due to his extensive control over Russia and the absence of any credible contenders. The nationwide voter turnout has already surpassed the levels of the previous election, reaching over 67.5% several hours before polls closed.
Notably, Putin’s most prominent opponent, Alexei Navalny, who tragically passed away in an Arctic prison last month, had called for a “Noon against Putin” protest. This symbolic dissent against the perceived corrupt autocratic leader gained support, although the number of participants in the opposition demonstrations has not been independently tallied due to the stringent security measures in place.
War has loomed over the electoral proceedings, with Ukraine repeatedly attacking Russia’s oil refineries, shelling Russian regions, and attempting to breach Russian borders with proxy forces. Putin has vowed to respond to these provocations, labeling his actions as a “special military operation” rather than admitting to an invasion of Ukraine.
Evidence of Voter Turnout
Reuters journalists witnessed a significant surge in voter turnout, particularly among younger individuals, at polling stations in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Yekaterinburg during the noontime. Long queues, accommodating several hundred or even thousands of people, were spotted. It is worth noting that while some of these voters claimed to be protesting, there were limited overt signs to differentiate them from ordinary voters.
International Influence
As the clock struck noon across Asia and Europe, hundreds of people congregated outside polling stations at Russian diplomatic missions in a cohesive show of support for Putin. Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Alexei Navalny, made an appearance at the Russian embassy in Berlin, receiving cheers and chants. Exiled Navalny supporters utilized YouTube to broadcast protests taking place both within and outside of Russia.
The results of Russia’s presidential election reflect Putin’s dominance and widespread backing from the country’s populace, effectively extending his 25-year rule. However, the legitimacy of the electoral process has been criticized by protesters, who perceive it as a charade.
