Polls Are Now Opened In Russia To Elect A President

Reuters: Putin on track for commanding win as Russians head to polls

PETROPAVLOVSK-KAMCHATSKY, Russia (Reuters) - Russians began voting in a presidential election on Sunday set to give Vladimir Putin a commanding victory that could only be blemished if large numbers do not bother taking part because the result is so predictable.

On Russia’s eastern edge, in the Pacific coast city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, polling stations opened at 2000 hrs GMT, and voting across the vast country will run until polls close at the westernmost point, the Kaliningrad region, 22 hours later.

Opinion polls give Putin, the incumbent, support of around 70 percent, or nearly 10 times the backing of his nearest challenger. Another term will take him to nearly a quarter century in power — a longevity among Kremlin leaders second only to Soviet dictator Josef Stalin.

Many voters credit Putin, a 65-year-old former KGB spy, with standing up for Russia’s interests in a hostile outside world, even though the cost is confrontation with the West.

Read more ....

More News On Russia's Presidential Vote

Polls open in Russia as Putin eyes 4th presidential term -- AP
Russia goes to the polls in presidential election -- BBC
Russia: Polls open in presidential elections -- DW
Putin, widely expected to win 4th term as Russia's president, presses for maximum votes, reports say -- FOX News
Russians vote as Vladimir Putin seeks tighter grip on power -- CNN
Russians Vote on New Putin Term as Tensions Flare With West -- Bloomberg
Russians to Vote Sunday in Presidential Election; Putin Victory Expected -- VOA
Crimea votes for first time in Russian elections -- Al Jazeera
Russian police put the squeeze on election observers before vote -- The Guardian
Russia votes: Vladimir Putin is counting on female turnout -- DW
Russia election: On a journey through real Russia, we reveal what ordinary people actually think of Putin, the election - and Theresa May -- The Independent
Russia: Navalny trying to undermine the election's legitimacy -- Al Jazeera
Russia’s election is so predictable we already know many of the numbers -- Quartz