Putin leading in Russian presidential election with 87.97 per cent of votes: Report

Vladimir Putin was leading in the presidential elections of the Russian Federation with 87.97% of the votes, as per the latest reports after the polls closed.

Nikolai Kharitonov had polled 3.8% of the votes, Leonid Slutsky 2.96% of the votes, Vladislav Davankov 3.73% of the votes, according to the first data of the Central Election Commission after processing 24.4 % of protocols, as per Russianstate-owned domesticnews agencyRIA Novosti.

The first data of the voting results were published in the CEC information centre.

Putin was leading in Russia's presidential election with 87.97% of the vote, according to the first official results showed on Sunday (March 17) after polls closed.Voting took place over three days: March 15, 16 and 17.

Russia 24 state television showed exit polls stood at 87 per cent at first and soon after announced the first official results at 87.9.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

Reactions pour in following the early results of the polls

White House National Security Council Spokesperson

"The elections are obviously not free nor fair given how Mr. Putin has imprisoned political opponents and prevented others from running against him."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

"These days, the Russian dictator is simulating another election. It is clear to everyone in the world that this figure, as it has already often happened in the course of history, is simply sick for power and is doing everything to rule forever."

"There is no legitimacy in this imitation of elections and there cannot be. This person should be on trial in The Hague. That's what we have to ensure."

Germany's Foreign Ministry took to social media platform X and wrote, "The pseudo-election in Russia is neither free nor fair, the result will surprise nobody. Putin's rule is authoritarian, he relies on censorship, repression & violence. The "election" in the occupied territories of Ukraine are null and void & another breach of international law."

UK Foreign Minister David Cameron

"The polls have closed in Russia, following the illegal holding of elections on Ukrainian territory, a lack of choice for voters and no independent OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) monitoring. This is not what free and fair elections look like," he wrote on X.

Polish foreign ministry released a statement saying, "From March 15-17, 2024, so-called presidential elections took place in Russia. The voting took place in conditions of extreme repression against society, making it impossible to make a free, democratic choice."

(With inputs from agencies)