Abramovich wins Arctic poll

(Reuters)

Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has won a legislative seat in the remote Arctic region of Chukotka.

The Chelsea Football Club owner won 97 per cent of the vote in yesterday's election.

The Kremlin-allied oil tycoon was Chukotka's governor for eight years before President Dmitry Medvedev let him resign in July. Mr Medvedev's predecessor, Vladimir Putin, had refused to accept his resignation.

Mr Abramovich is believed to have pumped millions of dollars into the region opposite Alaska. He once lamented that his job as governor was "too expensive".

He is now expected to head the regional legislature. Two of his former deputies won the other seats up for grabs in the 12-member chamber.