MOSCOW, Russia – Anti-war candidate Boris Nadezhdin has been disqualified from the upcoming presidential election in Russia, a move that further consolidates the political arena in favor of incumbent President Vladimir Putin.
The Central Election Committee (CEC) of Russia made the decision on Thursday, citing that Nadezhdin had only gathered 95,587 legitimate signatures, which fell short of the required 100,000 benchmark. Despite disputing the claims and vowing to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court, Nadezhdin faces a significant setback in his bid to challenge Putin’s policies and stance on the invasion of Ukraine.
Nadezhdin, a former State Duma MP and an independent candidate from the Civic Initiative party, has gained momentum in his campaign, gathering support from thousands both within Russia and across Europe. His staunch anti-war stance and open opposition to Putin’s policies have positioned him as a key opponent to the current president.
However, the disqualification raises concerns about the marginalization and targeting of political opponents in Russia, a feature that has intensified since Putin’s launch of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Nadezhdin’s disqualification follows the rejection of another independent candidate, Yekaterina Duntsova, who also openly opposed the war in Ukraine.
The disqualification leaves Putin and three other candidates on the official ballot, with Putin expected to secure another term, extending his rule until 2030. Throughout his 24 years in power, Putin has been known for marginalizing his opponents and tightening control over the country’s political landscape.
The move to disqualify Nadezhdin, along with the rejection of other anti-war activists, reflects the limited political competition in Russia and highlights the challenges faced by those who openly oppose the Kremlin’s policies.