Putin's Chances of Winning Russian Election, According to Polls

Vladimir Putin is assured of retaining power in Russia's presidential election, according to state-run polling firms, the latest surveys of which conclude the only question is how big his majority will be.

Nevertheless, the details of the results—notably turnout—could yet provide clues as to the scale of underlying dissent in the increasingly authoritarian country.

Early voting opened on February 26 in the more remote parts of Russia but citizens across 11 time zones go to the polls in earnest between Friday and Sunday when Putin is expected to declare victory and...