Head of Russia's Central Election Commission Ella Pamfilova (Photo: TASS/ VNA)

A resolution adopted by the upper house of the Russian parliament, the Federation Council, schedules the election for March 18.

Head of Russia's Central Election Commission Ella Pamfilova said 23 candidates are expected to run for the presidency.

During his annual end-of-year news conference last week, President Putin said he would stand for election as an independent candidate.

Independent candidates must collect at least 300,000 signatures in support of their bid, while candidates from parties not represented in the parliament must collect at least 100,000 signatures.