Putin announces victory
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E-mail China.org.cn, March 5, 2012
Russia's presidential candidate Vladimir Putin announced in Moscow Sunday that he had won the presidential election.
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| Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (2nd L) walks with Russia's presidential candidate and incumbent Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (1st L) as they attend a gathering in Moscow, March 4, 2012. [Xinhua/RIA Novosti] |
![Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (2nd L) walks with Russia's presidential candidate and incumbent Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (1st L) as they attend a gathering in Moscow, March 4, 2012. [Xinhua/RIA Novosti]](http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20120305/00114320def110be42e001.jpg "Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (2nd L) walks with Russia's presidential candidate and incumbent Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (1st L) as they attend a gathering in Moscow, March 4, 2012. [Xinhua/RIA Novosti]")
Putin and President Dmitry Medvedev went to the Manezh Square, where around 100,000 supporters were celebrating the victory.
According to an exit poll conducted by the state-run pollster VTsIOM released earlier Sunday, Putin is expected to garner 58.3 percent of votes, enough to avoid a second round.
According to the preliminary results collected by the electoral commission, with returns from more than half the polling districts, Putin gained over 64%, enough to give him a first-round victory over nearest rival Gennady Zyuganov, with about 17%.
The other three candidates were in single digits.
"We have won!" Putin announced with tears in eyes. "We won thanks to the support from the vast majority of our voters."
He said this was "a pure victory," which was gained in an "open and honest battle," and calling on all Russians to unite around the interests of the people and the country.
Supporters holding Russian flags and banners gathered at the square after the voting was concluded.
"This was a test of (our) political maturity and independence. We have shown that no one can bestow anything upon us," Putin was quoted by RIA Novosti news agency as saying.
Medvedev told the crowd, "Our candidate is leading confidently, and I have no doubts that we will win. All of us really need this victory."
The sixth presidential election of Russia concluded on Sunday with an early estimated turnout of 63.37 percent.
Putin served two terms as the country's president from 2000 to 2008.
In his election manifesto, Putin promised to develop innovation-oriented economy that benefits the people and implement political reforms on the premise of stability. He also called for rearmament and modernization of the Russian forces.
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