(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-11-26 15:59

MOSCOW - Russia's upper house of parliament on Monday named March 2, 2008 as the date of the next presidential election, opening the way for candidates to start registering to run.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (L) meets Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz in Moscow's Kremlin November 23, 2007. Russia's upper house of parliament on Monday named March 2, 2008 as the date of the next presidential election, opening the way for candidates to start registering to run. [Agencies]

The Federation Council upper house voted unanimously to confirm the date. Under Russian law, the election has to happen around this time but the upper house sets the exact date. Its vote officially launches preparations for the vote.