01:10, 31 October 2017

In Karachay-Cherkessia, CEC refuses to sanction a referendum on direct elections

The Central Election Commission for Karachay-Cherkessia sits to consider an application of the initiative group to hold a referendum. Photo by Asya Kapaeva for the "Caucasian Knot"

The Central Election Commission (CEC) for Karachay-Cherkessia has refused to register an initiative group to hold a referendum on direct election of the republic's head. Another motion to hold a referendum will be submitted from the initiative group of Karachay-Cherkessian residents, announced Rustam Djankezov, the secretary to the council for the regional branch of the "Partiya Vozrozhdeniya Rossii" (Russia's Renaissance Party) Party.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on October 20, the regional branch of the "Partiya Vozrozhdeniya Rossii" submitted an application to the CEC for the Karachay-Cherkessian Republic (KChR) to register an initiative group for holding a referendum on direct election of the republic's head. Local residents expressed their doubts that the authorities would sanction such a referendum to be held.

In March, the "Congress of Karachay People" spoke for direct elections of the head for Karachay-Cherkessia and heads of all levels. On October 18, the Council of Ingush People Teips supported the idea to return direct elections in the Caucasus.

When refusing to hold a referendum, the CEC produced controversial reasons, said Rustam Djankezov, the secretary to the council for the regional branch of the "Partiya Vozrozhdeniya Rossii" Party.

On October 30, policemen visited at home some members of the initiative group from the "Partiya Vozrozhdeniya Rossii", reported Inna Nasheva, the chair for the regional branch of the secretary to the council for the regional branch of the "Partiya Vozrozhdeniya Rossii" Party.

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

Author: Asya Kapaeva

Source: CK correspondent