Putin wins fifth term in office: Russian President Vladimir Putin (front, second from left) met with his supporters and volunteers at his campaign headquarters in Moscow on March 17. Putin won his fifth term with a record number of votes. He won 87.28 percent of the votes in the presidential elections after all ballots (选票) were counted, the Russian Central Election Commission announced on March 18. The Russian presidential elections were held for three days from March 15 to 17. Under Russian presidential election regulations, a candidate who receives more than 50 percent of the votes will secure victory.