Putin appears to have won second term

[UrbScotty]

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/03/14/russia.election/index.html

MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- Turnout in Russia's presidential election has exceeded the 50 percent hurdle needed to validate the vote, the country's chief electoral official said.

A failure of more than half of Russia's 109 million registered voters to go to the polls was seen as the only hurdle that President Vladimir Putin faced to his re-election for a second term.

Central Election Commission chief Alexander Veshnyakov said overall turnout was 51.73 percent at 4 p.m Moscow time (1300 GMT) on Sunday, the Interfax news agency reported.
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Also, Fox News said Putin has about 66% of the vote.

[bambo53]

1. An astonishing come from behind victory indeed

Lets see now, of his two opponents, one is in prison, and the other one is 'missing"?

Bush and Putin are trying to out do one another in boldness

[PaDUer]

2. Bushco..

have/had a hand in this..

[CerealMurderer]

3. Was there a better and preferred candidate running?

Who is he or she? What is their platform to beat Putin?

[bambo53]

4. Um, sorry, they're "missing" at the moment.

But it was a hard fought fight just the same. Just look into Putin's soul for yourself, and I think you'll see this is the new democracy at work. And we're working hard to promote and export this horse shit around the world? No wonder the Russians and Americans drink so much.

[UrbScotty]

5. BBC - Putin has 68%

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3511164.stm

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

6. This just in.... wtih 41% of preciencts reporting Putin has 116% of

the vote!

A great mandate from the People!

[Aidoneus]

7. surprised he only got 66%

he only had a half dozen "serious" contenders, each polling about 1-2%.

Seems then that their butterfly mines will be returned soon.. :(