2023-12-23 15:38:47
The Russian Electoral Commission on Saturday December 23 ruled out the presidential candidacy of journalist and former municipal representative Ekaterina Dountsova, who campaigns for democracy and an end to the assault in Ukraine launched almost two years ago.
The Commission invoked “errors in documents” submitted for registration of her candidacy by Ekaterina Dountsova, Russian television reported. The president of the Commission, Ella Pamfilova, declared that it had unanimously rejected the candidacy of this 40-year-old woman for the presidential election next March.
Intention to appeal to the Russian Supreme Court
“You are a young woman, you have your life ahead of you”, said Ella Pamfilova, addressing the candidate. In front of the press, Ekaterina Dountsova quickly deplored a decision “sad” concerning “a popular initiative”.
On Telegram, she announced her intention to appeal “tomorrow” before the Russian Supreme Court. “It is not finished”, she assured. In reality, however, this procedure should not succeed, any candidacy directly opposing the Kremlin’s policy having almost no chance of being authorized by the authorities. Ekaterina Dountsova also asked the leaders of the small liberal Yabloko party to support her candidacy.
29 people, including Vladimir Putin, candidates for the presidential election
“We cannot stand idly by! This is the last legal opportunity for citizens to express their disagreement with the policy pursued by the current authorities.she urged on Telegram. “Russians must have a choice!”she further argued. “Thousands of lives depend on your decision”she insisted.
Furthermore, the president of the Electoral Commission indicated on Saturday that a total of 29 people had at this stage submitted a presidential candidacy file, including Vladimir Putin.
Vladimir Putin, in power since 2000 (after having been prime minister in 1999), is aiming for a new six-year term in the Kremlin, a formality as the opposition has been crushed in recent years with repression which has accelerated since the assault on Moscow in Ukraine in February 2022.
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