The Russian Communist Party's leader Gennady Zyuganov was officially nominated on Saturday as the party's presidential candidate, marking the start of his election campaign.

During a secret ballot at the party's congress, 215 delegates voted for Zyuganov's candidacy and three against, with no abstentions.

The presidential race kicked off in Russia on November 28, when the date for elections to choose the successor to President Vladimir Putin was set for March 2, 2008.

Under the constitution, the current president is barred from seeking a third term. Putin has pledged to step down next year, but vowed to continue to contribute to the nation after his term ends.

(Xinhua News Agency December 16, 2007)