Voting begins in Russian election

Voters in Russia's far eastern region of Kamchatka were the first to begin casting their ballots in the country's presidential election. Four candidates are vying to replace President Vladimir Putin during Sunday's presidential contest. But it's widely expected that Putin's chosen successor Dmitry Medvedev will come through with a big victory.

Though having been hit by a strong cyclone and snow in recent days, all of the 203 polling stations in Kamchatka opened at 8 am local time on Sunday as scheduled. Other parts of the Russian territory still have to wait for several hours to vote. Local officials say they will mobilize all forces to clear the roads to polling stations.

Four candidates are running for the highest post in the country. A candidate must capture more than 50 percent of the vote to win outright. Otherwise, a run-off will be held between the top two candidates.

On Saturday, President Putin urged Russians to cast their ballots in the election.

Putin said, "On the 2nd of March every vote will count. Every single point of view is important for us, and that is why I ask you participate in Sunday's election and to vote for our common future and the future of Russia."

Putin's appointed heir, Dmitry Medvedev, is almost guaranteed to win the election. Various polls show that Medvedev will win between 60 to 80 percent of the vote.

As first deputy prime minister, Medvedev heads Kremlin initiatives to fix housing, health care, education and agriculture. Seen as a "socially oriented" politician, 42-year-old Medvedev has promised to continue Putin's policies if he is elected. And Putin has said he would accept Medvedev's proposal to become prime minister after the election.

The Central Election Commission will publish preliminary results on Monday. The final results will be announced next Friday.