An anti-Putin politician who has criticized the war in Ukraine as a 'fatal mistake' has been barred from running in the upcoming Russian presidential election. Despite not directly criticizing President Putin and gathering approximately 150,000 signatures in support of his candidacy, the opposition figure has been deemed ineligible. Critics and observers have pointed out that the elections in Russia lack freedom and fairness, with main opposition figures jailed and independent observers barred. There is no substantiated claim of a 'Western' plot to disenfranchise Russian voters, and the exclusion of the anti-war candidate has raised further concerns about the legitimacy of the election process.
BREAKING:A Russian politician calling for peace in Ukraine is rejected as a presidential candidate https://t.co/L9NG0fhLmD
Key Putin Rival ‘Barred’ From Running In Presidential Election https://t.co/GrcuDeM5f2 https://t.co/kjlzpAMfC4
Russian presidential challenger critical of Putin and the war in Ukraine says he has been blocked from running in election https://t.co/g4WThOxMAy
In news that will surprise no one, Russia’s anti-war election candidate says he’s been barred from the ballot, despite taking pains not to criticise Putin and collecting some 150,000 signatures backing his run. The fake candidates are the ones who remain https://t.co/5dOEzUbxRV
Elections in #Russia are neither free nor fair. The main opposition figures are currently jailed. Independent observers are barred from the upcoming presidential elections. There is no evidence for a 'Western' plot to disenfranchise Russian citizens. https://t.co/Ny1CGIcA1B https://t.co/0YjbKnNwRN
Anti-Putin politician who called Ukraine war 'fatal mistake' barred from challenging Russian election https://t.co/JPAhsGSLAB