FACTBOX - Candidates in Russia's presidential election

(Reuters) - Russian election officials on Sunday barred Kremlin opponent Mikhail Kasyanov from running in the March 2 presidential election, leaving four candidates in the race.

Here are brief profiles of the four candidates.

DMITRY MEDVEDEV (United Russia)

President Vladimir Putin's chosen candidate. Currently Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister.

Promises: stability, continuity after Putin's eight years in office, vowed to fight endemic corruption, tighten environmental laws. Vowed to improve health, education, farming, pensions and housing.

Age: 42, a former lawyer

Recent poll figures: 60-82 percent

GENNADY ZYUGANOV (Communist Party)

Lost the 2000 presidential election against Putin and the 1996 election against former President Boris Yeltsin.