Russia has accepted Vladimir Putin as a contender for the March presidential elections, which he is very guaranteed to win.
The 71-year-old has led Russia since the turn of the century, winning four presidential elections and briefly serving as prime minister in a system where opposition is almost non-existent.
The Central Election Commission on Monday, said it has registered Putin, who nominated himself, as well as right-wing firebrand and Putin supporter Leonid Slutsky, as candidates for the election.
The poll will take place across three days, from March 15 to 17, which Kremlin opponents claim makes ensuring transparency more difficult.
Following a contentious constitutional revision in 2020, Putin might remain in power until at least 2036.
Rights organisations claim that prior elections have been tainted by irregularities, and that impartial observers would be prevented from observing the vote.
While Putin is not anticipated to face any serious competition, liberal opponent Boris Nadezhdin has collected enough signatures to be recognised as a candidate.
However, it remains uncertain if he will be permitted to run, and the Kremlin has stated that he is not a credible rival.
cc: Vanguard Ng
