Chechnya's Record Voter Turnout Linked to Coercion
Human rights defenders explained the record turnout in Chechnya as a result of a coercion system. Threats of dismissal and expulsion, forced voting, and a system of informants are a constant practice in Chechnya, not a feature of the current election campaign.
Consensus
- The voter turnout in Chechnya for the State Duma elections was 95.19%, the highest among Russian regions.
- Ramzan Kadyrov was re-elected as the head of Chechnya with 99.85% of votes.
- Human rights activists stated that coercion, threats of dismissal or expulsion, and a system of denunciations are a constant practice in Chechnya, not limited to the current election campaign.
- The Chechen election commission completed a house-to-house canvassing of nearly 288,500 addresses.
- In Argun, schoolchildren and youth organization representatives were involved in voter outreach.
- Class teachers organized the attendance of parents of schoolchildren at polling stations.
- Security forces conducted unofficial raids on homes of individuals registered with the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
- The results of elections in Chechnya are reportedly predetermined well before election day.
- The use of administrative resources in Chechnya is described as a permanent feature.
- A mass flash mob involving thousands of students from Chechen State University took place in Grozny after the results were announced.
- Authorities described the flash mob as an initiative by the students themselves.
Coverage (2 sources)
- Human rights defenders explained record turnout in Chechnya by coercion system — Радио Свобода
- Human rights defenders explained record turnout in Chechnya by coercion system — 7х7 — Горизонтальная Россия