Call to cancel Russian presidential election voiced out at rally in Grozny

At an action in Grozny, held on the occasion of Russian president's birthday, the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, has stated that during the special military operation (SMO), the presidential election in Russia should be cancelled or held with the participation of only Putin.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that at their meeting on September 28, Vladimir Putin invited Kadyrov to discuss social and economic issues, but the latter stated that there were no problems in Chechnya, and that this was the only Russian region where Putin was supported by the entire population.

The call to cancel the presidential election during the SMO in Ukraine was pronounced by the head of Chechnya during an action dedicated to Putin's 71st birthday. "I suggest now, when the SMO is underway, to unanimously decide that we will have one candidate at the election – Vladimir Putin. Or temporarily cancel the election at all, because there is no other person who could defend our country today," the outlet named "Chechnya Today" has quoted Ramzan Kadyrov as saying.

Kadyrov has added that "during the SMO, there should be no talk of any presidential election in Russia," since this "will be used by many unfriendly countries for provocations."

At the action in Grozny, youth organizations held a flash mob, during which about 1500 young people with flags of Russia and Chechnya lined up making the number of "71," the head of Chechnya has informed.

As always, the bulk of the crowd was made by budget-funded servants, university students and secondary school pupils. According to them, participation in the event was mandatory.

Students and pupils were forced to take part in the action by threats, "otherwise, there will be problems in studies," the Telegram channel oppositional to Chechen authorities has quoted one of the participants in the action.

By means of the action dated to Putin's birthday, Kadyrov shows his loyalty, there, as well as for other events, they "drive state employees and students," using the people in authorities' interests, another publication says.