Rights Activist Questions Election's Legitimacy Due To Crimea

On the website of the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group, Halya Coynash argues that the fact that Russia's March 18 presidential election is being held on the illegally annexed Crimean peninsula makes it illegitimate. She argues, therefore, that the OSCE should not legitimize the election by sending observers -- even outside Crimea.

Russians' Concerns Ahead Of The Election

Low wages and incomes top the concerns of a majority of Russians in 2017, according to an opinion poll by Romir, followed by rising prices and inflation, and just ahead of corruption and unemployment.

Yavlinsky himself said he discussed this with Putin and that he'd seriously consider it if offered the chance.

How realistic are rumors that Yavlinsky will get a Kremlin job after the election?

In her column for Republic.ru, political analyst Tatyana Stanovaya looks at recent speculation that Yabloko leader and candidate Yavlinsky could get a Kremlin job as point man on Ukraine after the election. The idea may be far fetched -- but not as far fetched as it first seems, she argues.

A commentary by Maria Domanska at Warsaw's Center for Eastern Studies -- titled Putin For The Fourth Time. No Vision, No Hope -- argues that Putin's decision to run again for president signals the Kremlin is set to continue on the same course in domestic and foreign affairs, despite facing serious problems that include economic stagnation, decreasing real incomes, and tense relations with the West.

That escalated quickly.

Election Chief Pamfilova Calls On 'Ape' Deputy To Resign

You might recall Communist Duma deputy Tamara Pletnyova mocking the election as "nothing but vote rigging" to Tambov regional TV, adding, "If they tell me to vote for an ape, I'll do it!"

Now Central Election Commission Chairwoman Ella Pamfilova has fired back, according to RIA:

"If the respected Tamara Vasilyevna thinks that there are no elections in Russia but only falsificiations, then it is simpler not to sit in the Duma and not to take the relatively high salary of a deputy and not to head a committee and not to use the advantages that deputies have, but to be honest and logical to the end and resign."

Putin Formally Registered As Presidential Candidate

By RFE/RL

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been formally registered as a candidate in Russia's March 18 presidential election.

The Central Election Commission registered Putin on February 6, exactly two months after he announced his intention to run for a fourth term.

With high approval ratings and control over the levers of power, Putin is widely expected to win the vote....

Putin is the third presidential candidate officially registered by the Central Election Commission. Others registered so far are the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, Vladimir Zhirinovsky, and Communist Party nominee Pavel Grudinin.

Others who have declared their intention to run are liberal Grigory Yavlinsky, business ombudsman Boris Titov, and the journalist and TV personality Ksenia Sobchak.

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