UJD chair: Gunib District head was elected with violations

Ali Kamalov, Chairman of the Union of Journalists of Dagestan (UJD), a native of the Gunib District himself, said to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent today that administrative resources were broadly used during election of the head of the Gunib District of Dagestan.

The election campaign was over on October 11. At the election, the incumbent head of the administration Abdulkhakim Machaev gathered 58.3 percent of votes, his main opponent Daniyal Aliev - 39.7 percent. In total, 13,805 persons took part in voting.

Mr Kamalov believes that Machaev made exhaustive use of the resources under his control. "Machaev has managed to win only through his powerful administrative resources. We can state briefly that the treasury has won; and the district budget is the victor. Machaev is for 13 years in this position; and he has done absolutely nothing for Gunib residents. And the alleged and advertised Machaev's successes have long been incorporated in the republic's and district's budgets and plans," he said.

It was not possible to get any Aliev's comments, because he had already left the republic. Machaev was also outside reach.

Aisha Saidov, acting head of the Gunib District, said that the election was calm as never, and no violations in the course of the election campaign were registered. In his opinion, Machaev has won rightfully.

Isa Ahmedov, chairman of the territorial electoral commission, also said that the election in the district had passed without violations. Although local residents stuck to the opinion that President of Dagestan Mukhu Aliev did not interfere actively with the electoral process, Machaev's nomination by the "Edinaya Rossiya" was treated by his supporters as hidden support by Makhachkala.