MOSCOW, November 26 (Itar-Tass) — The final number of presidential aspirants will be known even by January 29, reported on Saturday secretary of the Central Election Commission Nikolai Konkin, referring to the calendar plan of the launched presidential campaign.
He noted that contestants for the country's top post are to hand over documents to the CEC for registration. "The law gives ten days for adopting a decision or for a substantiated refusal," Konkin said. Thus, the number and personal composition of claimants for the presidential office will be known by January 29.
Konkin also informed that no later than December 4 the CEC is to receive funds, appropriated by the state budget for preparing and holding presidential elections. The secretary does not preclude a chance that this will be done even earlier than the fixed date. He explained that the CEC would receive funds with an account for the second round of presidential elections. This is the practice at all presidential elections. If it is a one round poll, the money is returned to the budget.
Konkin did not conceal that "a situation when the start of the presidential election race concurs with the completion of Duma elections, creates some difficulties for the CEC". "The CEC copes with them, since similar situations develop not for the first time," he said.
Following the extension of the term of office for State Duma deputies till five years, and the Russian president -- till six, federal campaigns will be separated by time. This time, the elections of the sixth State Duma will be held on December 4. The country will elect the country's president exactly three months later -- March 4, 2012.