Russians head to polls in vote set to extend Putin’s rule

Billboards promoting the upcoming presidential election with the words in Russian ‘Time to vote’ in St. Petersburg, Russia (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky, File)

Voters headed to the polls in Russia on Friday for a three-day presidential election that is all but certain to extend President Vladimir Putin’s rule by six more years after he stifled dissent.

The election takes place against the backdrop of a ruthless crackdown that has crippled independent media and prominent rights groups and given Mr Putin full control of the political system.