MOSCOW, February 24 (RAPSI) - President Vladimir Putin has singed a law that allows individuals convicted for serious and aggravated crimes to run for governor or the presidential office, according to the statement on the Kremlin's website.

The law somewhat curbs the passive election right, as the convicts would be able to run for governor or president no sooner than 10 and 15 years from the time the conviction was closed. The candidate will have to inform the voters about his conviction, expired or otherwise, on the ballot and information materials.

Serious offenses, according to Russian law, are those carrying prison terms of five to ten years; very serious crimes are punishable by more than ten years in jail. 

In mid-October, Russia’s top court ruled that a 2012 law banning people convicted of grave crimes from running for office for life was unconstitutional, saying that a ban should depend on the severity of the crime.