Russia Finalizes Presidential Election Candidates, Excludes Anti-War Contender

The Central Election Commission has completed the registration process, barring anti-war candidate Boris Nadezhdin and favoring candidates who support the war in Ukraine.

Russia's Central Election Commission has closed the registration of candidates for the upcoming March presidential election, including President Vladimir Putin and three others.
Anti-war candidate Boris Nadezhdin was barred from running due to alleged flaws in his signature collection, a decision he plans to challenge in Russia's Supreme Court.
All registered candidates, including Putin who is running as an independent, support Moscow's ongoing war in Ukraine.
Putin, having been Russia's paramount leader since 2000, is expected to easily win the election.
The war in Ukraine, referred to by the Kremlin as a 'special military operation,' is nearing its second year, resulting in thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions.