Residents of Kabardino-Balkaria named the main problems ahead of the elections.

The rise in utility tariffs and prices for food and medicine, the state of healthcare and roads, as well as the resettlement of emergency housing, concern the residents of Kabardino-Balkaria surveyed by "Caucasian Knot." They hardly noticed any election campaigning in their localities.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", voters in Kabardino-Balkaria pointed to weak electoral activity, a lack of information about candidates, and disappointment in the ability to influence the voting results.

On the eve of the first day of voting, residents of Kabardino-Balkaria told a correspondent of "Caucasian Knot" which problems of the republic concern voters the most. The survey is not representative and reflects only the private opinions of respondents.

Prices, healthcare, and housing

Deputies should deal with healthcare, education, and job creation, believes pensioner Olga Sumina from the village of Yekaterinogradskaya in the Prokhladnensky district.

"It is necessary to raise salaries and pensions, especially here in the republic. The issue of resettling people from emergency housing must be resolved, urgent action is needed regarding food prices and their quality, and the problem of the cost of utility services and medicines must also be addressed, as they are rising like yeast. As for energy prices, there are not enough words to express what I think. Our country is rich in natural resources, yet everything is sold to the people at exorbitant prices, while 'foreign friends' can have their debts for energy written off – completely or partially," she said.

According to Sumina, the authorities intend to close the clinic in the village, including the dental office. "And our municipal deputies won't lift a finger to influence this and save the clinic. Why get elected as deputies if you can't help people?" the woman exclaimed. The residents of the village would like a day hospital to open so they wouldn't have to travel to Prokhladny for medical help, and they want the clinic building to be repaired – they have appealed to the authorities about this, and were promised help, but nothing has been done.

The rise in gasoline prices and utility services is the main concern for teacher Julietta Kokojeva. "Before the elections, deputies beat their chests, claiming they will stop this rise, and then they forget their promises. Well, if someone does propose a good law, it doesn't get support from the 'majority.' So there are no illusions," she said. In her opinion, deputies should ensure timely garbage collection and prevent chaotic construction in the city.

Resident of the village of Khasanya Maryat Sozaeva is worried about corruption, broken roads in the village, and rising utility tariffs. According to her, to achieve the cutting down of emergency trees along the road that could fall on the power lines, she had to contact Moscow. "I got through, and they promised to help. The question is, what are the local deputies doing? Do you think no one has contacted them?" she said.

Resident of Nalchik Zarema Orisheva believes that local deputies should be more active in addressing utility issues. "I live in an apartment building where some residents have violated the heating system – they have brought heating onto the balconies, and some have installed heated floors. As a result, some apartments are poorly heated. In particular, my kitchen is not heated at all. I have been living with this problem for many years, and the homeowners' association cannot solve it. Why not at least adopt a regulation at the municipal level that prohibits the reconfiguration of the heating system? As far as I know, there is no such regulation now, so anyone can do whatever they want, while others suffer inconveniences," she said.

Haven't seen candidates, but will go vote

There is no election activity in the village of Yekaterinogradskaya, claims Olga Sumina. "Not a single candidate has acquainted us with their program, and in general, we haven't seen them, many residents of the village don't even know about the upcoming elections," she stated.

There is no comprehensive information in the media or social networks, the pensioner added. According to her, meetings between deputies and voters are not held: "There are no gatherings, no answers to questions about the work done."

Deputies are "not very concerned" about reports on their past work, believes Julietta Kokojeva. According to her observations, the party "New People" is advertising itself more actively than others, but in her opinion, it is not different from "United Russia." "In any case, throughout the last season, they always voted the same way as them," the woman noted.

Zarema Orisheva knows only Adalbi Shkhagoshev among the current deputies, who has been continuously sitting in the State Duma since December 2007. "Nothing is known about the others, as there is no election campaigning, except for leaflets from 'New People' in Nalchik's public groups. I have never met with deputies, have not contacted any of them, and didn't even know that it was possible," she added.

Maryat Sozaeva, on the contrary, knows all the deputies and has repeatedly attended meetings with them. "And I also know that none of them will do anything," the woman noted. She would like to know what the deputies have done since their election, but there is no such information.

Sumina knows Victoria Rodina among the current deputies – as a resident of her district – and Boris Pashtov. "I am a communist myself and always vote for the Communist Party in elections. I believe that under the communists, we were more socially protected, confident about the future," she said.

All respondents stated that they intend to participate in the voting. For Kokojeva, the main thing is that the people's will is counted fairly. "I will definitely participate in the voting; it is my civic duty," she explained. The woman added that she traditionally votes for the communists, although sometimes worthy candidates can be found in "Fair Russia" as well.

Sozaeva explained her decision differently. "Will I go to the elections? I will go. And if I don't go, they will vote for me. This is practiced here. There was not much activity in the last elections, but then it turned out that Khasanya had a turnout of 97 percent 1 ," she stated.

Orisheva said that she always goes to the elections and will "probably" vote for Shkhagoshev.