Putin heads for landslide victory, thanks supporters

Moscow [Russia], Mar 18 (ANI): Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is heading for a landslide victory, securing a fourth term on Sunday, thanked his supporters and promised new achievements.

TASS quoted Putin as saying on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of Crimea's reunification with Russia in Moscow's central Manezgnaya Square, "Thank you very much for your support."

"I would like to tell both those who have gathered here in Moscow and our supporters across our entire country: thank you for this result," he stressed.

The Russian President further said that the voting results showed people's confidence and hope for further development of the country.

"I see in this at least recognition of what has been done in the recent years in very difficult conditions - trust and hope of our people that we will work the same hard, the same response and more efficiently," he said.

The Russian Election Commission reported that Putin is leading in the presidential race having clinched 72.53 percent of the vote with 25.03 percent of ballots counted.

Putin has been holding the Presidential office of Russia since 2012 after winning three Presidential elections consecutively.

Alexei Navalny, who was touted as his fiercest opponent was barred from contesting the Presidential elections and was further suspended for five-years on the basis of embezzlement charges levied against him, as reported by The Guardian.

This move paved the way for the incumbent Putin to easily secure his win in the elections and hold the office for the next six years. (ANI)