The election commission of Chechnya reported the early completion of door-to-door canvassing of voters.

The work of the canvassers informing the residents of Chechnya about the upcoming elections was completed three days ahead of schedule, reported the republican election commission. In Argun, in addition to door-to-door canvassing, a street information campaign was conducted with the participation of schoolchildren.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", at the end of August, the authorities of Chechnya announced the preparation of 2260 members of precinct election commissions for door-to-door canvassing and informing residents as part of the "InformUIC" project. From September 1 to 15, the canvassers were to visit more than 260,000 households. In the Sharoisky district, officials involved schoolchildren from the "Young Kadyrovites" movement in this work.

“InformUIC” in Chechnya completed three days ahead of schedule

In Chechnya, "InformUIC" was completed ahead of schedule, the republic's election commission reported today on its Telegram channel.

"Today, September 12, the door-to-door canvassing in the Chechen Republic as part of the "InformUIC" project was completed — three days ahead of the scheduled date," the publication states.

The project was planned to be completed on September 15, the election commission reminded. "In 12 days, 2260 canvassers visited all households included in the routes — a total of 288,475 addresses... Residents were informed about voting on September 18, 19, and 20, helped to clarify the address of the polling station, explained the available voting methods, and answered questions," the commission reported.

Schoolchildren in Argun involved in the information campaign

In Argun, "young activists" participated in the information campaign about the upcoming elections, the election commission of Chechnya also reported today.

"The participants included young activists - representatives of youth public organizations and school self-government. The kids went out to the central streets and squares of the city to inform residents about the importance of the upcoming event. The main goal of the event was to remind citizens of the election date, explain the voting procedure, and emphasize the significance of each citizen's participation in the fate of their hometown and region. During the campaign, volunteers distributed informational leaflets and booklets containing a voter reminder," the message states.

It should be noted that canvassers in Chechnya, according to human rights defenders, create the appearance of a struggle for turnout, as the data on turnout and the percentage of votes for Ramzan Kadyrov are not related to reality.

Informants are not particularly needed for reports. But some atmosphere needs to be created.

"The turnout percentage does not depend on this information. If they want, they will write 100%. So informants are not particularly needed for reports. But some atmosphere needs to be created," said Svetlana Gannushkina, head of the "Civic Assistance" committee (an organization included in the register of foreign agents), earlier to "Caucasian Knot".

A human rights defender familiar with the situation in the republic also assessed the actions of the canvassers in Chechnya skeptically. "All these events are conducted by the election commission, of course, with the approval of the republic's leadership. But they are completely meaningless. Because the election results are known in advance," he told "Caucasian Knot" earlier.

Chechen budget employees reported being coerced to vote

In the upcoming elections for the head of Chechnya, analysts do not expect real political competition: the participation of two "technical" candidates is only needed to demonstrate a formal alternative to Ramzan Kadyrov.

In the last three votes, in which Ramzan Kadyrov retained the position of head of Chechnya, two were direct elections. In 2021, Kadyrov, according to official data, received 99.7% of the votes. In 2016, his official result was 97.94%.

In 2011, direct elections were not held: all deputies of the People's Assembly of Chechnya supported Kadyrov's reappointment for a new term, meaning he was voted for by 100% of the participating deputies.