A Russian politician calling for peace in Ukraine is rejected as a presidential candidate

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia’s main election authority has refused to allow a politician opposing Moscow’s military action in Ukraine on the ballot for the upcoming presidential election. Boris Nadezhdin, a legislator in a town near Moscow, was required by law to gather at least 100,000 signatures in support of candidacy. The Central Election Commission on Thursday declared more than 9,000 signatures submitted by Nadezhdin’s campaign invalid, which was enough to disqualify him. Nadezhdin has openly called for a halt to the conflict in Ukraine and for starting a dialogue with the West. The presidential election is scheduled for March 15-17. President Vladimir Putin is almost certain to win the reelection given his tight control of Russia’s political system.