Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin rubs his eye as he presents documentation for his presidential candidacy at the Central Electoral Commission in Moscow December 7, 2011. Russian presidential elections are scheduled for March 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

MOSCOW - Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Wednesday officially submitted the paperwork required to register as a candidate in Russia's March 4 presidential election.

The documents included an official nomination from the ruling United Russia party, which chose Putin, the party's leader, as its presidential candidate in its November congress.

According to electoral laws, the Central Elections Commission (CEC) will check the papers and make a formal decision in the next five days about Putin's eligibility.

After gaining the CEC's approval, Putin will be allowed to open a special bank account to fund his campaign.

Putin, who stepped down in 2008 after two consecutive presidential terms, announced in September that he would seek the presidency again in 2012.