Putin elected to third term; observers express concern

March 7, 2012

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was elected to his third term as after the country's, causing concern from local and international communities about the legitimacy of the election.

According to the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, Putin received nearly 65% of the vote, placing him vastly ahead of the 's nominee for President,, who received 17.18% of the vote.

European observers, including those from the, however, reported that they saw "ballot stuffing and other irregularities" at almost a third of polling stations across the country, and  reported that industrial plants may have violated the law by "bussing workers to polling stations."



A spokeswoman for European Union Foreign Policy chief Catherine Ashton "broadly agrees with reports... that highlighted problems with Sunday's election," and that the European Union will be "encouraging Russia to address these shortcomings."

Valentin Gorbunov, Chairman of the Moscow Election Commission, denies claims that these plants broke the law, saying that it was a normal practice. Additionally, Putin asked that webcams, to be monitored by election officials, be installed in polling stations to increase transparency in the election process.

Among those crying foul are Russian Grandmaster, who accused Putin's party of "massive fraud."

Putin, who has been serving as the country's Prime Minister for the past four years, was forced to not stand in the country's due to constitutional limitations which kept him from a third consecutive term.