Putin officially applies to seek 4th term as president

Vladimir Putin on Wednesday officially applied to run for a fourth term in Russia's presidential elections next March 18.

Putin submitted his nomination papers to the Central Election Commission, the Kremlin said in a statement.

According to the Russia's official news agency TASS, the commission accepted his documents.

However, on Monday the commission rejected opposition leader Alexey Navalny's application to run, claiming that corruption charges and a suspended sentence disqualify him.

On Dec. 6, Putin announced that he would seek reelection.

If victorious, Putin will be in office until 2024, for a combined 20 years as president since 2000, not including his two terms as Russia's prime minister.