Accessibility links

Breaking News

Massive Security Effort Set For Chechen Elections


The city of Grozny (file photo) (AFP) 21 November 2005 -- Some 24,000 police and Russian soldiers will provide security during Chechnya's parliamentary election later this month.


The 27 November parliamentary poll will be the first since the conflict between separatist rebels and Russian forces began in 1999.


Russia's first deputy interior minister, Aleksandr Chekalin, said an additional 3,500 troops would be ready to boost security, if needed. Chekalin said security has already been beefed up at polling stations as well as at more than 180 strategic sites in the restive republic.


Early voting has already started, with guards on the Chechen-Georgian border in the Itum-Cale area casting ballots on Sunday.


Today, ITAR-TASS quoted election officials as saying that seven registered candidates have withdrawn from the race. It was not said immediately why.


(ITAR-TASS/Interfax)

Crisis In Chechnya

Crisis In Chechnya


RFE/RL's complete coverage of Russia's war-torn Republic of Chechnya.


CHRONOLOGY

An annotated timeline of the Chechnya conflict.

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG