09:30, 19 October 2017

Ingush Teips support idea to return direct elections in Caucasus

A general session of the Council of Ingush People Teips. Photo http://ingushetia.tv/news/019708/

On October 18, the Council of Ingush People Teips responded to an initiative of the Karachay Elders with a proposal to create an independent council of elders to protect the rights of the peoples of Northern Caucasus, violated by the abolition of direct elections in the regions.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on October 12, it became known Karachay Elders called on to return direct elections in Northern Caucasus.

In April 2013, Vladimir Putin signed a law authorizing constituent entities of the Russian Federation to abolish direct elections of leaders of regions. After that, in all North-Caucasian republics, except for Chechnya, direct elections were abolished.

"Deprivation of citizens and entire ethnic groups of the right to elect and be elected, by whoever committed, is a direct violation of the Constitution of the Russian Federation," declares the statement published on the website of the Council of Ingush People Teips.

According to Council members, as a result of the cancellation of direct elections, "the leaders of the republics have absolutely ceased to take into account the opinion of the people they lead."

The Kremlin refers to the traditional form of society in Northern Caucasus and believes free elections are impossible in the region, noted political analyst and rights defender Valery Khatazhukov.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.