Medvedev, who was hand-picked by President Vladimir Putin as his successor, is strongly expected to win Sunday's presidential vote, The Washington Post said.

"One of the key elements in our work in the next four years will be ensuring the independence of the legal system from the executive and legislative branches of power," Medvedev said.

Some believe Medvedev's dominating candidacy is too dependent on Putin's autocratic practices too live up to his own promises, The Post reported.

"Medvedev will be the glove on the hand of Putin's group," political analyst Dmitry Oreshkin said.

Others reportedly believe Medvedev's strong convictions will carry his promises to fruition.

"It's ridiculous to hear that Putin is going to rule and that Medvedev is going to fulfill his orders," said Lyudmila Narusova, the widow of Anatoly Sobchak and a member of the Russian parliament's upper house.