MOSCOW. Dec 12 (Interfax) - Fourth State Duma Deputy Vladimir Ryzhkov informed the Central Elections Commission (CEC)of Russia that he is planning to run for president as an independent candidate, CEC member Maya Grishina said on Wednesday evening.

"Vladimir Ryzhkov submitted a notification to the CEC that he is planning to run for Russian president," Grishina told Interfax.

For now, the CEC has received 15 notifications of intention to hold a meeting of initiative groups in support of self-nominees.

"Today is the deadline when one can inform the CEC on holding a meeting (of the initiative group)," Grishina said.

Ryzhkov said that personally he has not made a decision on participation in the elections. "The law makes it possible for a group of citizens to file a notification on nomination of a candidate, after which the nominee is to submit his own application. We have the initiative of citizens but as yet not my decision," Ryzhkov told Ekho Moskvy radio on Wednesday.

"I plan to make a final decision and announce it on Friday," Ryzhkov said.