Putin gains huge lead in Russia’s presidential election

Putin was tonight predicted to win the election by a landslide, with about 88 per cent of the vote, state-run exit polls showed.

Large queues had previously formed at midday at polling stations across the country as voters answered a call by the widow of opposition leader Alexei Navalny to take part in “Noon against Putin”, a peaceful protest.

Yulia Navalnaya, 47, had asked supporters of her husband to go to vote en masse at midday, and either spoil their ballot or vote for any candidate except Putin, 71.

Navalnaya herself joined a queue outside Russia’s embassy in Berlin, as similar gatherings were seen in cities around the world, including London. Wearing a black jacket, Navalnaya received flowers from supporters as she waited to vote.

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