Dmitry Medvedev unfazed by Criticism

"All elections are an internal affair," Medvedev

Dmitry Medvedev said he would not pay attention to any foreign criticism of next year's presidential poll as he handed in his ballot application today.

"All the decisions are taken by the people and it is before the people that the Duma (parliament) and the president are answerable, he added.
"What is there to be afraid of?" he asked.

The 42-year-old protege of Putin as required by electoral law to hand in his application for the presidential vote at the Central Election Commission by Sunday.

Last week Putin endorsed Medvedev, saying "I completely and fully support this candidacy."

Medvedev was duly approved as the candidate of the ruling United Russia party on Monday.

He is not expected to face a strong challenge, as opposition parties are under heavy Kremlin control.

Putin is obliged to stand down as the constitution forbids person from holding more than two consecutive presidential terms.

However he has said he would be ready to serve as prime minister if Medvedev was elected, a post the candidate has already offered him, prompting many to believe that Putin would be the power behind the throne.

Many other Political wizard envisage that Putin could be chairman to the ruling of pro-Kremlin alliance.