Russian election officials on Monday formally barred Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny from running for president, which made President Putin at an advantage position for his forth term for Presidency in March 2018.

The Central Election Commission of Russia made a drastic decision and declared Navalny is not eligible to contest  election because of a conviction in a fraud case that has been viewed as political retribution. Now he has to wait till he is cleared of the charges to run for the election.

Navalny was fast and furious in mounting pressure with a grassroots campaign that has reached out to the most remote corners of Putin’s fort.

Meanwhile Navalny called on his supporters to boycott the vote as a pre-recorded messaged released minutes after the Election Commission handed down the decision.

Russian President Election is now a thriller story unfolding in every moment with new twists.

BREAKING: Russia's Central Election Commission has formally barred opposition leader Alexei Navalny from running for president.

— The Associated Press (@AP) December 25, 2017