Putin's nominee leads in latest polls

It looks more than likely Dimitry Medvedev will get the chance to carry through his vision for Russia. A new poll indicates he would be a landslide winner of a presidential election if it were held today.

The latest survey, conducted just days before campaigning is officially due to start, gives him an overwhelming lead.

The poll shows Medvedev sweeping the board with 74.8% of the vote.

Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov trails far behind, but still clinging to second place with 12.8%.

11.5% of those polled chose liberal democrat leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky.

The only independent presidential hopeful Andrey Bogdanov brings up the rear with 0.9%.

Sociologists are also predicting a 70% turnout, slightly higher than at December's parliamentary election.