In a recent landslide election, President Vladimir Putin has secured a record number of votes, extending his reign over Russia for a fifth term. However, the election has been marred by allegations of manipulation and repression of dissent, with critics calling it a sham.
Despite criticisms from the U.S. and other Western leaders, Putin’s victory has granted him six more years in office, making him the longest-serving Russian leader since Catherine the Great. Following his win, Putin declared his intention to push deeper into Ukraine and create a buffer zone to protect Russia.
Public criticism of Putin and the war in Ukraine has been stifled, with opposition candidates barred from the ballot. The Kremlin, emboldened by the election results, could introduce unpopular measures in the post-election period.
Several people were arrested during the election, including for attempted fires/explosions at polling stations and protests. Putin’s opponents, including Alexei Navalny’s widow, urged voters to protest and criticize Putin at the polls. Navalny’s associates dispute Putin’s claims about negotiating a prisoner swap involving Navalny before his death.
Despite Western criticism, Putin rejected it and attempted to shift the focus by criticizing the legal cases against former President Donald Trump. Some Russians have expressed happiness with voting for Putin, reflecting the state TV’s consistent praise for the Russian leader.
Voting took place over three days in various locations, including illegally annexed regions of Ukraine and online. Reports of election irregularities, such as searches at polling stations and attempts to check ballots before casting, were noted by watchdog organizations. The election has raised concerns about the state of democracy in Russia and the potential consequences of Putin’s continued rule.
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