Kadyrov's results cast doubt on election outcomes in Chechnya

The victory of Ramzan Kadyrov at elections of the head of Chechnya with an almost one hundred percent result is absolutely implausible, analysts assert.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on September 17-19, Chechnya held voting at elections to the Russian State Duma and of the head of the republic. According to the republic's central election commission (CEC), Ramzan Kadyrov has won 99.7% of the votes, breaking his 2016 record. Meanwhile, the official data on voter turnout indicate a decline in interest in the elections in Chechnya.

In Chechnya, teachers and doctors have voted against their will for many times at different polling stations, residents of the republic have reported.

The outcome of the election of the head of Chechnya was predictable, said Svetlana Gannushkina, the chair of the "Civil Assistance" Committee*. By scoring 99.7%, Kadyrov is demonstrating to the Kremlin his strong position in Chechnya, she said. At the same time, such a high figure devalues the significance of Kadyrov's victory and undermines confidence in the outcome.

Alexei Malashenko, a political analyst, agrees with this. "How can one person score almost 100%? Everyone knows this is a game," he has stated.

A victory with a score of 99.7% is indecent even for Russia; and the head of Chechnya is engaged in self-admiration, Mr Malashenko has concluded.