Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has nominated...

Sergei Darkin, 46, has already served two terms as the region"s governor since being first elected to the post in 2001.

Since 2004, the heads of Russia"s regions have been nominated by the president and approved by the regional legislature. Prior to this, elections were held to determine regional governors.

The date when the local legislature will vote on Darkin"s candidacy has yet to be fixed.

Out of Russia"s 83 regional leaders, 29 have held their posts since the last century. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has warned the country"s governors in late December that most provincial heads would be able to hold office for three terms in the future.

MOSCOW/VLADIVOSTOK, January 5 (RIA Novosti)