In the lead-up to the Russian presidential elections scheduled from March 15 to 17, a candidate who has been critical of President Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine has been barred from the ballot. Despite collecting approximately 150,000 signatures in support of his candidacy and taking care not to criticize Putin directly, the anti-war candidate was rejected by Russia's main election authority on February 8. This has left incumbent President Putin to run against three other candidates, whose names have not been disclosed. The disqualification of the only candidate openly opposing Putin's policies, particularly the invasion of Ukraine, which he termed a 'fatal mistake,' has raised concerns about the fairness of the election. The Russian Central Election Commission has announced that early voting will be organized in Russian-annexed parts of Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions.
Putin challenger says majority of Russians want Ukraine war to end https://t.co/NMTZZMEoSu
If you somehow still had any hope Russia’s March election would be free and fair, Vladimir Putin squashed that. https://t.co/JEaFZtU0cu
The Russian authorities have finalized the text that will appear on the ballots in next month’s presidential election. See if you can spot Putin on the list — even if you don’t speak Russian. https://t.co/A9i9ZKl0Vm
It may come as no surprise that Vladimir Putin is seeking another term as President of Russia, especially after he approved amendments to the Constitution which would allow him to stay in power until 2036. Nevertheless, other candidates are appearing on the ballot ▶️▶️▶️
It speaks to Putin's profound insecurity after his disastrous invasion of Ukraine that Russian authorities bar the only presidential candidate in the forthcoming "election" who opposed the war. https://t.co/77o6cINayH
The space for Vladimir Putin’s opponents shrank a little more when one of the few voices openly criticizing the Russian leader’s war in Ukraine was disqualified from the coming presidential election https://t.co/6Oc7cVTicm https://t.co/6Oc7cVTicm
Russia’s dictatorship lives down to that definition by removing an opposition candidate who opposed Putin’s invasion of Ukraine but worse - was becoming popular in so doing. One hopes he remains alive now.
It may come as no surprise that Vladimir Putin is seeking another term as President of Russia, especially after he approved amendments to the Constitution which would allow him to stay in power until 2036. Nevertheless, there are other candidates appearing on the ballot ▶️▶️▶️
Russia's main election authority on Thursday refused to allow a politician opposing Moscow's military action in Ukraine on the ballot for the upcoming presidential election. https://t.co/Eh4gevLvw7
Russian politician calling for peace in Ukraine rejected as presidential candidate https://t.co/jQjP0ICf3Y
Four candidates will be on the ballot during the upcoming presidential elections in Russia to be held from March 15 to 17, including incumbent President Putin, the Russian Central Election Commission said Thursday. https://t.co/R8SebH4p9c
I see that Russia's anti-war election candidate has been barred by Putin Well, at least he wasn't poisoned. I hope Tucker Carlson congratutes Putin on this
Russian authorities banned from the presidential race the only candidate who had openly contested President Vladimir Putin’s hold on power in Russia, and who called the decision to invade Ukraine a “fatal mistake.” Here’s what to know about the election. https://t.co/NnJBTXqti1
A Russian politician calling for peace in Ukraine is rejected as a presidential candidate https://t.co/WIgezm16Un
Putin to run against three "candidates" in upcoming Russian presidential elections https://t.co/YvF16WlFzO
Putin challenger barred from Russia's election @BBCWorld https://t.co/DGGBhDuCm0
BREAKING:A Russian politician calling for peace in Ukraine is rejected as a presidential candidate https://t.co/L9NG0fhLmD
Russian presidential challenger critical of Putin and the war in Ukraine says he has been blocked from running in election https://t.co/g4WThOxMAy
Authorities will organize early voting for the upcoming Russian presidential election in Russian-annexed parts of Ukraine’s Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. https://t.co/z9WxpqVDGQ
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