This archive report was first published on 20 August 2019.
On March 18, 2018, Russian President Vladimir Putin secured a sixth term in power, winning over 76% of the vote in the country's presidential election. The victory margin was a marked increase from his 2012 win, when he secured 64% of the vote.
Putin's nearest competitor, millionaire communist Pavel Grudinin, received about 12% of the vote. A state exit poll put the turnout at over 60%, with Putin's campaign hoping for a large turnout to give him the strongest possible mandate.
However, allegations of election irregularities have surfaced, with video recordings from polling stations showing officials stuffing boxes with ballot papers in several towns and cities across Russia.
Opposition leader Alexei Navalny was unable to vie for the presidency due to an embezzlement conviction, which he accused the Kremlin of manufacturing.
Putin's victory has been widely predicted, and his campaign had hoped for a large turnout to give him the strongest possible mandate.
