19:17, 21 May 2004

Chechen presidential election set for August 29

The early election of the Chechen president will be held on August 29, 2004. Such a decision was made at the session of the Chechen election commission in Grozny on Friday, May 21.

The election commission intends to strictly abide by the Constitution and the law on elections of the president of the Chechen Republic while making preparations for and holding the election, the chairman of the election commission, Abdul-Kerim Arsakhanov, emphasized.

"In my opinion, there were unethical proposals to change the Constitution, which were made by politicians who proposed to appoint the higher official in Chechnya by a volitional decision, without holding election," Mr Arsakhanov said.

The election is held because of the death of president of Chechnya Akhmad Kadyrov in the terrorist act at the Dinamo stadium in Grozny on May 9.

Source: Interfax News Agency