The Russian election commission on Saturday ruled out the presidential candidacy of journalist and former municipal representative Ekaterina Dountsova, who advocates for democracy and an end to the attack in Ukraine that began nearly two years ago.
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The commission cited “errors in the documents” submitted by Ekaterina Duntsova To her candidacy, Russian television reported.
The president of the commission, Ella Pamfilova, said she had unanimously rejected the candidacy of this 40-year-old woman for the presidential election next March.
“You are a young woman, you have life ahead of you,” Ms. Pamfilova said, turning to the candidate.
Speaking to the press, Ekaterina Dountsova was quick to regret a “sad” decision regarding “a popular initiative.”
On Telegram she announced her intention to appeal to the Supreme Court of Russia “tomorrow”. “It’s not over yet,” she assured.
In reality, however, this procedure should not be successful, as any candidacy that directly opposes the Kremlin's policies has little chance of being approved by the authorities.
Ekaterina Dountsova also asked the leaders of the small liberal party Yabloko to support her candidacy.
“We can’t stand idly by! “This is the last legal opportunity for citizens to express their dissatisfaction with the policies pursued by the current authorities,” she demanded on Telegram.
“Russians must have a choice!” she continued to argue.
“Thousands of lives depend on your decision,” she said.
In addition, the President of the Election Commission stated on Saturday that a total of 29 people had submitted applications for presidential candidacy at that time, including Vladimir Putin.
Mr. Putin, in power since 2000 (after serving as prime minister in 1999), is seeking a new six-year term in the Kremlin, a formality as opposition has been crushed in recent years by increased repression since the attack on Moscow in Ukraine in February 2022.