Russian upper house to set presidential elections

The Federation Council, the upper house of Russian parliament, will on Friday set presidential elections for March 4, 2012. In line with the law on presidential elections, the vote should take place on the second Sunday of the month of the previous presidential polls. But in 2012, the second Sunday of March will be a working day in Russia, so the vote will take place on the first Sunday, which is March 4. The Federation Council’s resolution on the election date will come into force after it is published in a government newspaper, which should take place not later than five days following the setting of the election date. The election campaign kicks off at the moment the resolution is published. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who will run for president, is widely expected to triumph in the polls.