Putin seeks high poll turnout to bolster successor
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday urged his countrymen to vote in Sunday's presidential election to secure Russia's future, a final Kremlin effort to boost turnout in a vote derided by opponents as one-sided.
Russia's Medvedev pledges freedom and legal reform"We all understand what a great and responsible role the leader of state such as Russia is," Putin said in a brief address on Russian television.
"And how important it is for him to have the faith of his citizens. He needs it for effective and confident work in his presidential post, to ensure stability in the country."
Putin steps down as president after two consecutive four year terms. He has backed Deputy First Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to take over.
Medvedev's victory is not in doubt but analysts say the Kremlin is anxious to ensure a turnout of at least 70 percent to give the next president a resounding mandate.
(Writing by James Kilner, editing by Ralph Boulton)
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