Campaigning for Kadyrov violated federal law
The participation of clergy in campaigning for Ramzan Kadyrov directly violates federal law, but it is a long-standing and widespread practice in Chechnya, said the co-chairman of Golos (the organisation is included by the Ministry of Justice of Russia in the register of NPOs performing the functions of a foreign agent) Roman Udot and President of the Assembly of the Peoples of the Caucasus Ruslan Kutaev.
In different settlements of Chechnya, rallies were held with the participation of state employees and civil servants, who called on the residents of the federal republic to vote. Workers of the Spiritual Directorate of the region are directly and indirectly campaigning for the current leader of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, in the elections for the head of the region, and residents of the federal republic are declaring that they are forced to vote.
In 2016, Ramzan Kadyrov was elected for a third term, receiving, according to official figures, 97% of the vote. Even before the vote, residents of Chechnya stated that the outcome of the elections was determined in advance. Kadyrov's 14-years as head of Chechnya is the longest among the leaders of Russia's regions. Kadyrov's rivals in the upcoming elections are Isa Khadzhimuradov, deputy chief of staff of the head and government of Chechnya, and Khalid Nakayev, deputy of the Chechen parliament.
In the elections of deputies of the State Duma of Russia in 2016, the highest voter turnout in Russia was found in Chechnya - 94.92%.