By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has submitted his documents to be officially registered as a candidate for the March 2012 presidential elections.
In line with Russian law, the Central Election Commission is to consider Putin’s bid within 10 days.
The 59-year-old Putin, who served two terms as president in 2000-2008, announced his plans to return to the Kremlin in September and is widely expected to win the elections slated for March 4, 2012.
Current Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has agreed to replace Putin as prime minister in the next government.
The United Russia party nominated Putin as its candidate for president during a party congress in late November.
At least four candidates are expected to challenge Putin’s bid for the presidency. Among them are Vladimir Zhirinovsky, leader of the LDPR party, and veteran Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov. They are expected be officially nominated Dec 13 and 17 respectively.
The A Just Russia party also intends to put forward its leader Sergei Mironov as a candidate for the presidency. His nomination is likely to be approved by a party congress due Dec 10.