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Labour MP John McDonnell has accused the party of organising a "discredited" leadership contest.The left-winger said he wanted to stand but would struggle to get the nominations of 33 MPs - required under rules announced on Tuesday - in time.
The Hayes and Harlington MP said this would exclude many "rank and file" Labour members from choosing him and reduce the chances of a "fresh start".
Only ex-ministers Ed and David Miliband have said they will stand for leader.
Former schools secretary Ed Balls and former health secretary Andy Burnham are also thought to be considering a bid.
The result of the contest is due to be announced on 25 September, Labour's ruling National Executive Committee has decided.
'Alienated'
Mr McDonnell, who wanted to stand against Gordon Brown for the leadership in 2007 but failed to receive enough nominations from MPs, said it was wrong to reduce the period for nominations to four days, from 24 to 27 May.
He said this was not enough time for the many newly elected Labour MPs to weigh up the merits of different candidates and for potential contenders to canvass for support - although he said he was still determined to try.
"I think it undermines the democratic process from the outset," he told the BBC News Channel.
"I thought we had learnt those lessons."
By "curtailing" the nomination process, Mr McDonnell said Labour officials were effectively "fixing" the contest in favour of establishment candidates such as David Miliband.
"It prevents people like me coming forward and securing nominations. This just alienates people from the beginning," he added.
The backbench MP said the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats had held more open contests when they elected David Cameron and Nick Clegg as their leaders.
There has been longstanding anger within sections of the party that Gordon Brown was elected without a contest in 2007.
Mr McDonnell, who chaired the Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs in the last Parliament, is a leading voice on the left of the Parliamentary Party.
'Dynamic' contest
Former cabinet ministers Ed Balls and Andy Burnham are thought to be weighing up their options amid calls for the contest to be as competitive as possible.
Several senior Labour figures have ruled themselves out, including acting leader Harriet Harman, former Home Secretary Alan Johnson and prominent backbencher Jon Cruddas.
The new leader will be elected by a ballot of Labour MPs, MEPs, party members and members of affiliated organisations such as trade unions and socialist societies.
Ms Harman has defended the election rules, saying they will lead to a "dynamic" contest, with up to four million people eligible to vote.
The ballot will take between 16 August and 22 September, with the result being announced on the first day of the party's conference in Manchester.
Hustings will take place in June and July with some backbench MPs pressing for the candidates to square up in a TV debate.This article is from the BBC News website. ? British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.