President Vladimir Putin is basking in a victory early that was never in doubt, as officials said he won reelection with an overwhelming number of votes. After facing only token challengers and harshly suppressing opposition voices, Putin was set to extend his nearly quarter-century rule for six more years. Even with little margin for protest, Russians crowded outside polling stations at noon on Sunday, apparently heeding an opposition call to express their displeasure with the president. Putin hailed the overwhelming early results early Monday as an indication of “trust” and “hope” in him. Critics saw them as another reflection of the preordained nature of the election.