by Seyi Lawal

With a clear majority of around 60 percent vote, Vladimir Putin has pronounced win in Russia’s presidential elections. This means he’s returning for a third term after four years as the country’s Prime Minister.

 Supporters of Putin gathered with Russian flags and banners outside the Kremlin for a concert to celebrate his victory. Slogans on the banner included “Putin – our president” and “We believe in Putin”, but there were indications that some participants had been ordered to attend.

There Putin made a short appearance with current President Dmitry Medvedev, thanking his supporters for their support.

The electoral commission showed preliminary results, with returns from more than half the polling districts, showing Putin gaining over 64%, enough to give him a first-round victory over nearest rival Gennady Zyuganov, with about 17%. The other three candidates were in single digits

 Putin told supporters at a rally in central Moscow they had won in an open and honest battle. But according to BBC news, opposition groups reported widespread fraud, with many people said to have voted twice.

 They have called for mass protests in central Moscow today, Monday.