Grozny, Russia – Voters went to the polls Sunday to elect a parliament in war-torn Chechnya, fulfilling a key step in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s effort to defeat separatist rebels by turning power over to pro- Moscow Chechens.
Despite warnings by authorities that guerrillas might stage attacks to disrupt balloting, there were no immediate reports of serious incidents. The contest included 342 candidates representing various pro-Moscow parties who competed for 58 seats in a two-chamber parliament. More than 24,000 police and troops provided security.
Voters interviewed at polling stations in Grozny, the Chechen capital, and in several villages repeatedly emphasized hope that the election and creation of a parliament would help bring peace and jobs.
“That things will get better – that’s what we’re hoping for,” said Markha Zhurzhayeva, 43, a voter in Pobedinskoye, a village west of the capital. “That people will stop shooting, that kids will go back to school, that life will get better and we’ll be able to sleep without being afraid.”
Chechens exercised self-rule in the Caucasus republic after defeating Russian troops in a 1994-96 war, but Russian forces returned in 1999 and have fought guerrillas since.
In the past few years, in a process often dubbed “Chechenization” of the conflict, Putin has sought to build up the strength of local Chechens at least nominally loyal to Russia and turn over to them the task of keeping the republic in Moscow’s orbit.
This pro-Kremlin group was headed first by Chechen President Akhmad Kadyrov, who was assassinated last year. His son, Chechen First Deputy Prime Minister Ramzan Kadyrov, 29, is seen as the republic’s real boss, even though he lacks the top title.
Ramzan Kadyrov’s political muscle derives in part from his position as head of a widely feared Chechen paramilitary force of about 4,000 people, including many former guerrillas who have been given amnesty.
