Timetable for the Presidential Election: 2 March 2008

26 November 2007: Announcement of the Presidential Election by the Federation Council.

By 18 December: independent candidates register supporters' groups and submit their credentials to the Central Electoral Commission (CEC). CEC approves or rejects within 5 days.

By 23 December: parties hold party conferences to choose a candidate by secret ballot and then submit their candidate's credentials to the Central Electoral Commission. CEC approves or rejects within 5 days.

17 December: United Russia officially nominated Dmitry Medvedev.

24 December: first sitting of the new Duma.

By 16 January 2008, all candidates must FILE their nomination papers with the Central Election Commission. Four Duma parties can nominate candidates automatically, but non-Duma parties and independents need to submit 2 million signatures, which are sampled to confirm their validity. Within ten days of filing, the Commission confirms a place on the ballot or rejects it on specified grounds. A group whose candidate is rejected has the right of appeal to the Supreme Court, which must consider the appeal within five days.

Sunday 2 March 2008: lst round ballot for Presidency.

Sunday 23 March: If no candidate secures an absolute majority in the first round, second round run off between the two leading candidaes in the first round.

Wednesday 7 May 2008: Presidential inauguration.