The presidential elections in Russia next month have divided Russian citizens. The complete exclusion of the charismatic opposition leader Alexei Navalny from the ballot list will surely make a farce of this election.

There are voters who are disillusioned. Many of them are very critical of Putin. If he remains in power for another term (and he definitely will), there is little chance of change because, as it turns out, only candidates who pose no challenge to him are allowed.

Having deprived Navalny by barring him from registering as a presidential candidate, the Kremlin’s political consultants and analysts agree that Machiavellian Putin would automatically return to power. However, Navalny is now urging supporters to boycott the election. His exit has now placed anti-Putin voters in a dilemma over the call to boycott this election.

Thousands agree with Navalny that this election is absolutely a mockery, a fake, where honest citizens are being deprived of their political rights. This will simply be ‘Putin’s reappointment’, an insult to voters’ dignity despite his sky-high approval ratings.

By urging voters to stay away, Navalny has found the Kremlin’s weak spot. Low turnout, which could tarnish Putin’s victory, is what his canvassers are most worrying about. The Kremlin, Putin and his henchmen are now floundering over how to deal with this menace: the brave opposition leader.