<p> Russians have overwhelmingly backed constitutional reforms that will allow President Vladimir Putin to extend his rule, the Central Elections Commission said Thursday.</p>.<p>With all votes counted, the CEC said 77.92 percent of voters had backed the reforms, with turnout of about 65 percent.</p>.<p>Russians began voting last week on the package of constitutional changes proposed by Putin, including a reset of presidential term limits allowing him to run twice again after his current six-year term ends in 2024.</p>.<p>Other amendments would strengthen presidential and parliamentary powers, enshrine traditional values including an effective ban on gay marriage and guarantee better minimum wages and pensions.</p>.<p>Russia's two houses of parliament previously approved the amendments but Putin said they would only take effect if supported by a majority of voters.</p>.<p>Leading Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny described early results showing Russians' strong backing for the reforms as a "huge lie" that didn't reflect reality.</p>
<p> Russians have overwhelmingly backed constitutional reforms that will allow President Vladimir Putin to extend his rule, the Central Elections Commission said Thursday.</p>.<p>With all votes counted, the CEC said 77.92 percent of voters had backed the reforms, with turnout of about 65 percent.</p>.<p>Russians began voting last week on the package of constitutional changes proposed by Putin, including a reset of presidential term limits allowing him to run twice again after his current six-year term ends in 2024.</p>.<p>Other amendments would strengthen presidential and parliamentary powers, enshrine traditional values including an effective ban on gay marriage and guarantee better minimum wages and pensions.</p>.<p>Russia's two houses of parliament previously approved the amendments but Putin said they would only take effect if supported by a majority of voters.</p>.<p>Leading Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny described early results showing Russians' strong backing for the reforms as a "huge lie" that didn't reflect reality.</p>