Residents of Chechnya report compulsion to pre-election action

On March 3, employees of state institutions in the cities of Grozny, Argun and Gudermes were forced to participate as spectators in the motor rally with an appeal to come to vote at the presidential election.

The motor rally was organized by activists of the youth movement "Akhmat" with the participation of the Chechen Central Election Commission (CEC). The aim was to increase the voter turnout at the presidential election scheduled in Russia for March 18, the CEC has stated.

Employees of budget-funded organizations and students were forced to take part in the rallies held before the action.

The organizers also announced a sporting flash mob dedicated to the election to be held on March 5. According to their estimates, in Grozny, the flash mob will attract 5000 resident, each of whom will have to do 18 push-ups or sit-downs.

The residents of Chechnya, interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot", have noted that the authorities use all possible means to raise the voter turnout at the election. In recent years, they used to report a very high voter turnout in Chechnya – no less than 90%, but this time campaigning with an appeal to vote is unusually active, the head of one of local NGOs said.