The first candidate to run for presidency

The Central Elections Committee has registered the first candidate for the President’s post. Oleg Malishkin is expected to run from the liberal-democratic political party (LDPR). He is not required to collect 2 million signatures to support his candidacy, since LDPR is represented in the State Duma, reports &to=http://www.rian.ru' target=_blank>RIAN

According to the LDPR’s website, 52-year-old Oleg Malshkin has graduated with a degree in electrical engineering. He is also a leader of Zhirinovsky’s security personnel. Malshkin enters the Duma under a lucky number three, after his fellow politician Zhirinovsky and Igor Lebedev. Since 1997 until 2001, Malshkin was the head of administration of Tatsinsky region of Rostov.

January 6th, 2003 was the last day to register for the upcoming Presidential elections. Nine more people, aside from Malishkin are pretending for the highest post. The candidates are: Nikolay Kharitonov of KPRF (Russia's communist party), Victro Geraschenko of “Rodina”, Speaker of the Federation Council Sergey Mironov, and other six independent candidates- Vladimir Putin, Irina Khakamada, Ivan Ribkin, Sergey Glasyev, Vladimir Brintsalov and Anzori Aksentiev-Kikakishvili.