Putin goes solo in Russian federal vote

MOSCOW, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- For the first time, Russian President Vladimir Putin's name alone is on his United Russia's parliamentary candidate list that traditionally had three names.

In the past, all parties listed three prominent candidates' names -- known as a troika -- on their lists, but delegates of the United Russia party voted 476-3 to use Putin's popularity to woo party votes, the Moscow Times reported.

"They want the maximum possible result in these elections, and this can only be achieved with the most direct and tight connection to Putin," said Sergei Mikheyev, an analyst with the Center for Political Technologies.

Because of term limits, Putin must step down as president next year and this week hinted he could run as prime minister and then make a bid for the presidency again in five years.

Although his name tops headlines the party's list for the Dec. 2 Duma, or lower house, election, Putin isn't obliged to take a seat if United Russia wins, as his party would allocate the seats.