Russia's election officials have barred former Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov from running as an opposition candidate in the March presidential election.

The Central Election Commission (CEC) said there were many invalid signatures in Mr Kasyanov's list of supporters.
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"This means the elections will be a farce," Mr Kasyanov's spokeswoman, Yelena Dikun, told Reuters news agency.

"It shows the authorities are afraid of any competition, it means the authorities fear any alternative points of view," she said.

"They are afraid, just so afraid."