President Vladimir Putin at a polling station in Moscow (Photo: AP)

According to the preliminary results announced by the Central Election Commission, with 90% of the votes counted, Mr. Putin won 76.4% of the votes, followed Pavel Grudinin of the Communist Party with 12% of the votes and Vladimir Zhirinovsky of the Russian Liberal Democratic Party with 5.8% of the votes.

The newly-elected President had a victory speech at a campaign base in Moscow. He thanked his supporters, saying that difficult times are ahead but that Russia will be able to create a breakthrough. He also called on political forces to act for the Russian interests.