Russians have voted overwhelmingly to allow President Vladimir Putin extend his role as leader of the country until 2036.
Polls opened earlier in the week to allow Russians Vote for a series of reforms which include allowing Putin to run for an extra two terms in office.
The polls which were open for one week closed with 74% of the counted votes supporting Putin’s iron hand Leadership of the Kremlin nation.
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Critics say the referendum was marred with pressure mounted on voters. They further described the week long exercise which has never happend in Russian democratic history as manipulated to keep Putin in Power.
Putin mounted a massive media campaign compared to the weak and scattered attempts by the opposition to prevent him from achieving his goal.
The overall voter turnout for Moscow and Western Russia was 65% while other parts witnessed as high as 90% turnout of eligible voters.
Independent election observers as well as Kremlin critics however question the numbers quoted by government officials saying the figures were inflated.
The changes in the referendum first proposed by Putin in January grants broader powers to the parliament, and redistributed authorities among the various arms of government.
Critics have said this is because he wants to become parliamentary speaker or Chairman of the State Council when his current tenure as president ends in 2024.
Vladimir Putin is the longest serving leader since Communist Dictator, Josef Stalin.
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