Putin seeks third term in Russian presidential polls

Russians voted today in presidential polls set to return strongman Vladimir Putin to the Kremlin for an unprecedented third term, as he faced public wrath over allegations of rigging in December's parliamentary elections which was won by his United Russia party.

Voters turned out at 90,000 polling stations across Russia spread over 21 hours for the marathon electoral process, that is being monitored through election observers and over 100,000 webcams.

Today's vote sees Putin, the 59-year-old ex-KGB spy hoping to become president for a third time after swapping role as prime minister with his close aide Dmitry Medvedev.

Putin voted in Moscow with his wife, Ludmila. "I'm expecting a good turnout, because presidential elections are an important event. I am confident that people will act responsibly," he told Russian newspaper Izvestia.

Putin's main challenger is considered to be Communist Gennady Zyuganov, who is running for a fourth time. If Putin fails to achieve more than 50% of the vote he will face his nearest rival in a run-off.

The other candidates are ultra-nationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky, tycoon Mikhail Prokhorov, who is standing as an independent, and former upper house speaker Sergey Mironov, from the centre-left A Just Russia party.

Putin was Russia's president from 2000 to 2008, but was barred by the constitution from standing for a third consecutive term. He faces four challengers, three of whom he has defeated in previous elections.

The election is being held against a backdrop of popular discontent, sparked by allegations of widespread fraud during December's parliamentary elections in favour of Putin's United Russia party. Experts say there is real debate as to whether Putin remains the best person to lead Russia, or whether the time has come for change.