Putin wins presidential election marred by reports of violations

Elections watchdog agency receives over 3,000 complaints of violations

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has won Russia's presidential election on Sunday.

Mr. Putin has got 62 per cent of the 85 per cent votes counted, the Central Election Commission said. Exit polls conducted by two leading pollsters gave Mr. Putin 58-59 per cent. Mr. Putin needed to win more than 50 per cent to avoid a runoff.

Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov came second with over 17 per cent of the votes. The other three candidates polled less than 10 per cent each.


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