MOSCOW, March 18. /TASS/. The voting in the Russian presidential election was well organized everywhere, including at polling stations abroad, but the country’s embassies and consulates often had to fight provocations, Federation Council International Affairs Committee Chairman Grigory Karasin said.
"We should also note the efficient organization of voting not only inside the country, but also abroad. Although when it comes to abroad, our embassies and consulates often had to work in the conditions of blatant provocations," the lawmaker said on Telegram.
He said that "even Russia's most ardent enemies" were unable to come up with any legible accusations to cast a shadow on the success of the election.
"The foreign observers that came to us will still have their say. Comfortable conditions for work were created for them as well," Karasin said.
The lawmaker said "a landslide victory of stability and unity of Russian society" had been expected.
"And yet it has significantly strengthened the sense of dignity of our citizens and their faith in the success of the course to defend the strategic security and further development of the motherland. And this is naturally associated with President Vladimir Putin," Karasin said.
Russia held a presidential election from March 15-17. With 99.79% of ballots counted, incumbent President Vladimir Putin is winning the election in the first round, collecting 87.3% of the votes. Communist Party candidate Nikolay Kharitonov came in second with 4.3%, New People Party’s Vladislav Davankov mustered 3.84%, and LDPR leader Leonid Slutsky 3.21%.