Putin elected to a fourth term as Russian president

Vladimir Putin was elected for a fourth six-year term as Russian President in the 19 March elections, making him the longest-serving leader of the country since dictator Joseph Stalin, although voter turnout was slightly lower than the Kremlin had reportedly been seeking.

It was widely expected that Putin would be elected as president, despite the diplomatic tension ahead of the vote following the UK’s accusations that Russia was involved in the Salisbury poisoning.

Putin dismissed those accusations in a speech, saying that the idea that Moscow was in any way involved was "nonsense" and argued that the government would cooperate with the investigation in every way.

The leader, who came to power in 1999, won more than 76% of the ballots, according to Associated Press, with turnout put at 67.47%, versus the 70% authorities were reportedly aiming for.

During the campaign, Putin pledged to raise wages, increase funding for health care and education and to modernise infrastructure. He also promised to strengthen the country’s defences against the West.

Speaking before a crowd of supporters gathered outside the Kremlin after his victory was announced on Sunday evening, Putin thanked them and called for unity among Russians, urging those who had braved the cold to "think about the future of our great motherland".

To take note of however, officials reportedly tried to boost the turnout by decorating polling stations and giving gifts to first-time voters - although Putin regularly obtains very high support ratings in polls.

Those who took selfies at polling stations and posted them online could win electronic devices like an iPhone X and health authorities also offered free cancer screenings at selected polling stations.

The Kremlin also chose to hold the elections on the fourth anniversary of the 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, widely seen by the Russian population as a move to reassert the country’s power.

There are also reports of ballot box stuffing, which was captured at times on TV, while in other instances the view of CCTV cameras was blocked by decorative balloons, retractable walls and curtains.

Suspiciously, ballot papers were reportedly found clumped together.

The Electoral Commission confirmed two cases of ballot-stuffing in Moscow and proceeded to cancel all the votes from both stations, but the Commission said those were only isolated cases.

The Russian leader's nearest rival, Communist party candidate Pavel Grudinin won 11.8% of the ballot with nationalist firebrand Vladimir Zhirinovsky getting 5.6% of the votes.

However, Putin's most ardent critic, anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny was barred from running shortly before the elections after being accused and convicted for embezzlement.

Despite Putin's win on Sunday, as of 1155 GMT the US dollar was 0.74% higher against the rouble, with Moscow's RTS index having closed near its lows of the session, retreating 0.86% to end at 1,243.50.