Putin secured a fourth presidential term with 78% of the vote amid allegations of electoral fraud and the barring of key opposition candidates.
Key Facts
- Winner
- Vladimir Putin (independent)
- Putin's vote share
- 78%
- Voter turnout (registered voters)
- 67%
- Zhirinovsky vote share (3rd place)
- 6%
- Putin's consecutive term
- 2nd consecutive, 4th overall
- Notable exclusion
- Alexei Navalny barred due to criminal conviction
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
After months of evasive public statements, incumbent President Vladimir Putin declared his candidacy on 6 December 2017, choosing to run as an independent rather than under the United Russia banner. Opposition figure Alexei Navalny was barred from running due to a prior corruption conviction widely regarded as politically motivated, prompting him to call for a boycott.
On 18 March 2018, Russian voters went to the polls in a presidential election featuring eight registered candidates. Putin dominated the contest, receiving 78% of the vote, while Pavel Grudinin of the Communist Party finished second and Vladimir Zhirinovsky of the Liberal Democratic Party placed third with 6%. Turnout among registered voters stood at 67%.
Putin secured a fourth presidential term, extending his hold on Russia's highest office. The election drew widespread international criticism due to allegations of ballot box stuffing, forced voting, and intimidation of observers. The exclusion of Navalny and other critics reinforced concerns about the integrity of Russia's electoral process and the consolidation of authoritarian governance.
Political Outcome
Vladimir Putin re-elected as President of Russia with 78% of the vote for his fourth overall and second consecutive presidential term.
Vladimir Putin, President (2012–2018)
Vladimir Putin, President re-elected for term 2018–2024