Russian authorities announced today that endorsed the candidacy of Vladimir Putin in the presidential elections in March which the current head of state is expected to win, as the opposition has been largely silenced by the crackdown.

“The Russian Electoral Commission has registered the candidacy of Vladimir Putin for the presidency,” the institution said on Telegram.

The 71-year-old current president, in power for nearly a quarter of a century, had formalized in December his intention to seek a new term in elections to be held from March 15 to 17.

The election is largely a formality as opponents of the Kremlin have suffered a crackdown, particularly since Russia’s attack on Ukraine nearly two years ago.

A rival, Boris Nadiezdin, is still trying to get his candidacy ratified, which has caused an unexpected frenzy in recent weeks.

Tens of thousands of Russians mobilized to sign the petition necessary to file his candidacy.

He plans to submit more than 100,000 signatures of support from his fellow citizens the day after Wednesday to the central electoral commission, the power-controlled body that approves or rejects nominations.

This veteran of political life, little known to the general public, told AFP he had no illusions about the outcome of the vote but hoped it would be “the beginning of the end” of the Putin era.

The elections will be held over three days, from March 15 to 17.

Revision of the Constitution allows Vladimir Putin to remain in power until 2036.

Almost all of the Kremlin’s best-known opponents, such as anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny, have been jailed or driven into exile.