Kasyanov barred from Russian poll

Russia's election officials have barred former Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov from running as an opposition candidate in the March presidential election.

The Central Election Commission (CEC) said there were many invalid signatures in Mr Kasyanov's list of supporters.

Mr Kasyanov served under President Vladimir Putin, but has become one of his staunchest critics. He called on Russians to boycott "this farce".

Mr Putin's chosen successor, Dmitry Medvedev, is expected to win in March.

Russian law stipulates that no more than 5% of signatures in support of a candidate can be false or forged.

In Mr Kasyanov's case, 13.36% were rejected, the CEC announced. The decision was unanimous.

In a statement, Mr Kasyanov said: "There is no doubt that the decision not to register my candidacy was taken personally by Vladimir Putin."

"The country has finally gone on the slippery slope to totalitarianism."



http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7211622.stm