M A I N   N E W S

Putin wins second term

Moscow, March 15
Vladimir Putin has recorded a commanding victory over his five rivals in the presidential elections, based on counting of 86 per cent of the total votes polled, official results showed.

Putin, whose re-election to presidential office for a second term has been considered a forgone conclusion, had consolidated his lead by bagging 70.5 per cent of the total votes. His Communist Party rival Nikolai Kharitonov was trailing behind with 14.3 per cent of the votes.

"This trend is irreversible and the final tally could change only by a fraction of digit," CEC Chairman Alexander Veshnyakov declared.

Addressing a televised news conference early today, Putin thanked his countrymen for their support and attributed his victory to his "intensive and honest" work in the first four-year term.

Talking about his foreign policy, he also mentioned Russia's intention to further develop its partnership with India and China.

"The goal of the Russian foreign policy is not the demonstration of imperial ambitions, but creation of favourable external conditions for the development of Russia. We will build a multi-vector foreign policy, work with the US, Europe and our Asian partners, China and India, since Russia is a European as well as an Asian nation," Putin said.
— PTI