MOSCOW. Oct 8 (Interfax) - President Vladimir Putin does not have to resign as president when he registers as a State Duma candidate, Central Elections Commission Chairman Vladimir Churov told a Monday press conference in Moscow.

"Item 6 of Article 40 of the Federal Law on Fundamental Suffrage Guarantees says that the Russian president's participation in the election campaign as a State Duma candidate shall not impede the fulfillment of his presidential duties," he said.

The same rule is applied to other officials except members of the Central Elections Commission, Churov said.

"The president does not have to resign his position when he is registered as a State Duma candidate due to Part 2 Article 46 of the Federal Law on the State Duma Elections. The same rule is applied to other officials with the exception of Central Elections Commission members," he said.

"The constitution and federal laws permit the president of the Russian Federation to run for the State Duma and top the candidate list of a party. The same right is enjoyed by other officials, but members of the Central Elections Commission," Churov said.

At the same time, Article 85 of the Federal Law on the State Duma Elections prohibits a registered candidate to make use of his official position or order his subordinates to become canvassers.

"The Civil Service Law differentiates between civil servants and officials. Civil servants - deputy ministers, vice-governors and others -must resign from their posts during the election campaign. Yet, people holding official positions do not have to do that," Churov said.