The Russian Communist Party's leader Gennady Zyuganov was
officially nominated on Saturday as the party's presidential
candidate, marking the start of his election campaign.
During a secret ballot at the party's congress, 215 delegates
voted for Zyuganov's candidacy and three against, with no
abstentions.
The presidential race kicked off in Russia on November 28, when
the date for elections to choose the successor to President
Vladimir Putin was set for March 2, 2008.
Under the constitution, the current president is barred from
seeking a third term. Putin has pledged to step down next year, but
vowed to continue to contribute to the nation after his term
ends.
(Xinhua News Agency December 16, 2007)
