Скачать или смотреть CHECHNYA: ELECTIONS (2)

(20 Aug 2000) Russian/Nat

The breakaway Russian province of Chechnya goes to the polls on Sunday to choose a member of parliament to fill a seat left empty in last December's national elections, when Moscow's campaign to regain control of the province faced more intensive resistance.

But the election is opposed by separatist rebels who have been battling for independence from Russia.

Gunfire was reported on Saturday night just hours before the polls opened.

But election officials in the region said the polls opened under guard and on time.

Balloting was run by the Russian military and no outside election observers were present.

Russian troops were on high alert, and civilian movement was severely restricted.

Two hours after voting began, just 60 of 1,640 people registered at one polling station in Grozny had cast ballots.

Some people may have been scared to leave their homes in case of rebel attacks, but the capital was reported quiet.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"I can't see a huge amount of voters casting their ballots today. On this ballot station just around 200 people came to vote so far."
SUPER CAPTION: police officer (no name given)

In destroyed Grozny few people cared to take part in the election.

Even those who did were saying that the timing for it is wrong - while the fighting in still flares in some parts of Chechnya, and the civil administration's functions are taken over by the Russian army, there is a little chance that the elections will be fair.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"I think it is premature to hold the elections now. Suppose someone would start questioning the voting results - we've got no courts, no law, nothing functioning. The Army has taken over all these functions here."
SUPER CAPTION: Magomed Suleimanov, Grozny resident

Elections for the lower house of parliament were held in the rest of Russia in December, when fighting in Chechnya made it impossible to hold a local ballot.

Candidates for the Duma said that taking part in that election was an important step for the self confidence of the residents of the breakaway republic.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"People want to take part in the elections in hope that it will help to stop the war. It is an element of the normal life. And, after all, we've got to find a common language with federal authorities somehow."
SUPER CAPTION: Adam Deniyev, candidate for the Duma elections in Chechnya

Chechen refugees living at a camp in the neighboring republic of Ingushetia also cast ballots.

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