Putin secures presidential victory with over 87% amid global criticism

Vladimir Putin wins the presidential elections in Russia, obtaining over 87 percent of votes - according to data published on Monday morning on the official website of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation.

The presidential elections in Russia, which began on Friday, ended on Sunday. The results were announced on Monday morning on the website of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation after counting votes from 99.43 percent of the polling stations.

According to the released data, Vladimir Putin won the presidential election in Russia, securing 87.32 percent of all votes (as of 4:00 AM Greenwich Mean Time).

In second place was the candidate from the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, Nikolai Kharitonov, who received 4.32 percent of the votes. The third spot was claimed by the candidate from the New People party, Vladislav Davankov, with 3.79 percent of the votes. Fourth place was awarded to the candidate from the LDPR, Leonid Slutsky, with 3.19 percent of the votes.

"On March 15-17, the so-called presidential elections took place in Russia; the voting was carried out amidst severe repressions against the society, preventing a free, democratic choice," states the declaration from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "These elections cannot be recognized as legal, free, or fair" - was emphasized.

The statement also noted that contrary to international law, the "elections" were held in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine: the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, as well as the regions of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts.

"The voting was conducted in Moldovan Transnistria and the Georgian regions, South Ossetia/Tskhinvali Region, and Abkhazia. Such organized 'elections' cannot be recognized as legal, free, or fair" - the Ministry's announcement continued.