Giant presence: Putin has an apparently unassailable lead

But Mr Putin promised faster reforms if elected to a second four-year term in the Kremlin.

And he said he would improve the lives of millions still feeling few benefits from post-Soviet change.

Mr Putin is expected to easily defeat his six challengers on 14 March.

A new period has arrived, a period in which we can create conditions for a fundamental improvement in the quality of lives Vladimir Putin

The president, addressing thousands of supporters at Moscow State University, said the country had moved on from its Soviet legacy.

"Today we feel that the time of uncertainty and fearful expectations is behind us," he said.

"A new period has arrived, a period in which we can create conditions for a fundamental improvement in the quality of lives.

"The question naturally is: 'Will we be able to manage this?' On the basis of the results of recent years we have every reason to believe 'Yes, we can!'. It is within our capabilities."

Reforms would now gather pace, he said, and the basis would be established for a society with Western-style social institutions .

Huge lead

Opinion polls put Mr Putin's support on more than 70%. None of his challengers has more than 5% support.

The president also enjoys solid backing from the majority United Russia party in parliament.

Live television debates involving four candidates also began on Thursday, but Mr Putin has said he will not take part.

Critics say he has established control of enough media outlets to ensure his campaigning can be carried out over the airwaves without joining the debates.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell, on a recent visit to Moscow, expressed concern at the lack of a free media, and called for more access to the media for those running for political office.

His comments came in an interview at the Ekho Moskvy radio station - the last free national broadcast station in Russia.

Election observers

The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe announced on Thursday it had sent 50 long-term election observers to Moscow and regional centres, to see whether fair play was observed. An extra 400 observers would be present on election day, it said.

Mr Putin's nearest rival is nationalist Sergei Glazyev, on around 4% support, who is campaigning for the renationalisation of oil and gas.

The only liberal candidate, Irina Khakamada, is pledging to boost standards of living for the poor.

Mr Putin, a former spy chief, became Russian prime minister in August 1999 and took over as president later that year after Boris Yeltsin's resignation. He was elected president in March 2000.