29 August 2004, 19:20
Election in Chechnya to be declared valid
The election of Chechen President can be considered valid, a source in the republican election commission told the Caucasian Knot correspondent. According to commission's information, over 30% of voters have already voted in the presidential election. "As of 1 p.m., over 30% of voters have already voted, and under the law it is enough to declare the election valid," the source said. The election is being held with high level of organization and a high turnout, he added.
Meanwhile, the Caucasian Knot correspondent became an eye-witness of people's coming to one of the polling stations. Only some 10 people had voted there by 12 a.m., the voter lists for this precinct containing 2,656 people. Nevertheless, in spite of the low turnout, a quarter of the ballot-box was filled up there. Another violation was recorded in the same district. Breaking all rules, precinct election commission officials register people who come to vote not in a diary but on common sheets of paper. They have refused to explain the lack of the diary at their polling station. According to a voter who introduced himself as Musa, he has information that the diary for the registration of voters still exists at this polling station. And marks have been already made in it, ensuring the turnout of about 80%.
Author: Sultan Abubakarov, CK correspondent Source: Caucasian Knot
