Russian presidential vote likely March 4

MOSCOW: Russia's 2012 presidential election may be held on March 4 after a calender switch, electoral officials said Thursday.

The presidential election could have theoretically taken place on March 11, also a Sunday, but the government has proposed turning that into a workday to ease Russia's celebration of International Women's Day on March 8.

A Friday, March 9, thus became a public holiday, which means the election will probably have to place on the one work-free Sunday at the start of the month -- March 4.

"Yes, that is so," Central Election Commission member Maya Grishina was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti when asked about the March 4 vote.

The Russian government still has to approve the formal switch in March holidays, ITAR-TASS quoted the commission chief Vladimir Churov as saying.

Russia has for the first time extended the president's term in office from the current four years to six, with President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin saying they soon will agree which of them should run for the office.

Polls for the State Duma lower house of parliament are set for December 4. (AFP)