Kadyrov's supporters collect favourable signatures using “administrative sources”Timur Aliyev, North Caucasus - Supporters of Akhmad Kadyrov, head of the Moscow-backed Chechen administration, are collecting signatures via “administrative sources“ to support his becoming a presidential candidate, stated Tamara Kalayeva, an independent human rights defender.
Kalayeva said she has evidence that local officials of the town of Argun were compiling lists of signatures that favoured Kadyrov by using personal data made available to them by the town’s citizens. “They copied names and other data from trade licences,” she stated, adding that one signature cost 10 roubles.
On August 14, Kadyrov’s supporters used this same method to get documents of women working in the central market of Grozny. “Kadyrov`s security service seized our passports and then compiled lists using our personal statistics,” said Zulfiya Zaurbekova.
Kalayeva says that this is happening throughout Chechnya. “It‘s not always possible to catch them red-handed.”
According to the Chechen Election Commission, at least 12,000 signatures must be obtained in order to register a presidential candidate.
The Kremlin organizes the presidential election in Chechnya on October 5. Fifteen candidates have notified the Chechen Election Commission of their intention to take part in the election.
(H/T,E) |
