The Russian Electoral Commission on Saturday December 23 ruled out the presidential candidacy of journalist and former municipal representative Iekaterina Dountsova. The commission rejected the candidacy of former television journalist Iekaterina Dountsova in the March presidential election, due to “errors” in her registration file, her campaign team said on Telegram messaging. This decision was made just three days after Yekaterina Dountsova applied for registration with the electoral commission.
The commission’s chair, Ella Pamfilova, said the commission unanimously rejected the 40-year-old’s candidacy. “You are a young woman, you have your life ahead of you,” Pamfilova said, addressing the candidate. She said a total of 29 people had filed to run for president.
All serious opposition ruled out by Russian power
Yekaterina Duntsova had planned to run on a program to end the war in Ukraine and free political prisoners.
Vladimir Putin, in power since 1999 as head of state or government, is seeking a new six-year term at the age of 71 and is credited with around 80% of voting intentions, according to polls from ‘opinion. In power since 1999, he is guaranteed to be reappointed for a new six-year term.
Russian power has for years excluded any serious opposition from elective mandates and political life, with repression which has accelerated since the Kremlin sent its army to Ukraine in February 2022.