Supreme Court of Russia Confirms Exclusion of Anti-War Candidate Boris Nadezhdin from Election – Sky Bulletin
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The highest judicial body in Russia, the Supreme Court, confirmed on Monday that Boris Nadezhdin, a known liberal politician, is prohibited from participating in the forthcoming presidential election.
Nadezhdin serves on the city council of Dolgoprudny, a suburb of Moscow, and was put forward as a candidate by the Civic Initiative party in the election that President Vladimir Putin is anticipated to win decisively. His opposition to the conflict in Ukraine has earned him the backing of those who oppose the current government.
Following the adverse ruling, Nadezhdin took to social media to express his determination to fight the decision. He stated: “We’re now writing a complaint to the presidium of the Supreme Court. From there we’re only one step away from the Constitutional Court. For now, we are guided by Russian law.”
Without representation in the national parliament, the Civic Initiative party is required by Russian electoral law to gather at least 100,000 signatures for a candidate to be eligible for the presidency. Nadezhdin’s campaign managed to collect 105,000 signatures which aligned with his urging for an end to the military operations in Ukraine.
Nevertheless, on February 21, the Central Election Commission of Russia invalidated over 9,000 of those signatures — exceeding the threshold that would result in Nadezhdin’s disqualification. Russian regulations stipulate that a maximum of 5% of submitted signatures for a candidate may be invalid for their candidacy to be valid.
Currently, the approved list of presidential candidates for the March 15-17 elections includes four individuals, Putin among them. The remaining three are from political parties with close Kremlin ties and are often considered nominal competitors.
FAQ
- Why was Boris Nadezhdin barred from the presidential race?
- Boris Nadezhdin was disqualified because the Central Election Commission found more than 9,000 of the 105,000 signatures he submitted to be invalid, exceeding the 5% limit of invalid signatures allowed.
- What does Boris Nadezhdin plan to do following the Supreme Court’s decision?
- Nadezhdin plans to continue his legal challenge by filing a complaint with the presidium of the Supreme Court, and if necessary, proceed to the Constitutional Court.
- When is the Russian presidential election taking place?
- The Russian presidential election is scheduled for March 15-17.
- How many candidates have been approved to run in the presidential election?
- So far, four candidates, including President Vladimir Putin, have been approved to contest in the presidential election.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court of Russia’s decision to uphold the disqualification of Boris Nadezhdin underscores the challenges faced by opposition figures in the nation’s political landscape. With the presidential elections fast approaching, the barring of anti-war figures such as Nadezhdin from the presidential race is a reminder of the stringent requirements and the tight control exercised over the political process. The outcome of Nadezhdin’s legal battles and the conduct of the elections will be closely watched by both national and international observers.
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