Oleg Bolotnicov could run in elections under party list

Oleg Bolotnicov, whose application for being registers as independent runner in the April 5 legislative elections was rejected by the Central Election Commission (CEC) on March 10, could take part in elections on the lists of a political party. He said he received proposals from several parties, but has not yet made up his mind, Info-Prim Neo reports. At a news conference on March 10, he said that the political party that he will support must safeguard the interests of the people, even if he does not enter the Parliament. “I could not accept the proposals that came until now from political parties because their election programs contain nothing new compared with the previous election campaigns,” Bolotnicov said. “After I experienced all this I will no way join the PCRM. I don’t think they are responsible for the fact that I was not registered by the CEC, but some of the persons are anyway seriously involved,” Bolotnicov said. “Though I cannot say who is involved, I see no other political force that could influence things this way. They are the only power and if a person is removed this is not done by some other party,” he added. Oleg Bolotnicov said he would appeal the CEC’s decision not to register him to court. “The legislation and all the human rights have been violated,” he said. Bolotnicov filed the documents a week ago. The CEC refused to register him, arguing that only 1,573 signatures of the 2,159 presented in his support turned out to be valid. At least 2,000 signatures are needed for an independent candidate to be registered.