In a recent development in Russia's presidential election, Boris Nadezhdin, an anti-war candidate, has been barred from participating. Nadezhdin expressed his intention to challenge this decision in the Supreme Court after the Central Election Commission (CEC) rejected his candidacy. The CEC cited discrepancies in the signatures collected by Nadezhdin and his supporters, including some allegedly from deceased individuals.

Nadezhdin, who had collected over 200,000 signatures across Russia, asserted the legitimacy of his campaign and vowed to continue his efforts to participate in the election. Despite not being seen as a serious contender against the incumbent, Vladimir Putin, Nadezhdin's criticism of the government's actions in Ukraine had garnered attention.

Critics argue that Nadezhdin's candidacy highlights the controlled nature of Russia's political system, suggesting that his candidacy wouldn't have progressed without tacit approval from the authorities. However, the Kremlin has dismissed Nadezhdin as a significant threat to Putin's overwhelming popular support.

To qualify as a candidate, Nadezhdin needed 100,000 signatures from at least 40 regions, while Putin, running as an independent, required 300,000 signatures. Putin's campaign has reportedly amassed over 3.5 million signatures, indicating strong backing from his supporters.

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