On 7 April 2002 presidential elections were held in Ingushetia where a total of 23 candidates threw their hat into the ring for the Republic's top post. In essence two opposing “camps” were facing each other: one supported by the Russian government (inclined to do everything the Russian authorities want them to do), and the second consisting of among others, wealthy businessmen who basically follow the line of the Ruslan Aushev politics.

The first group is largely represented by Murad Zyazikov, a general of the FSB (former KGB). Just one day before the elections an important candidate of the “businessmen-camp”, Khamzat Gutseriyev, was removed from the candidate list. He was charged by the Supreme Council of “running his campaign from his minister's chair instead of taking a vacation.”

The Supreme Court's decision to remove Khamzat Gutseriyev from the Ingush election was seen as unusual because in most other similar cases, the federal authorities have not paid much attention when regional officials conduct election campaigns from their official seats.
The selective and biased justice in Gutseriyev's case has outraged prominent human rights campaigners.

The election campaign, including the elections, did not pass without the “usual” violations. The “Memorial” human rights centre reported on violations of the law by the representatives of the Russian government in Ingushetia, who “agitated” the population, pressing on them to vote for their presidential candidate Zyazikov, as well as providing false information about the situation in the Republic.

The election results were published the next day amidst disappointment on both sides.

67.4% of the Ingush population participated (minimum is 50%).
Of them: 31.5 % voted for Alikhan Amirchanov; 19.4% voted for Murad Zyazikov.

None of the candidates received more than the minimum of 50%, which means that there will be a second round at the end of April 2002.

No doubt, this first round has indicated that the Ingush people support the “businessman camp”. The question is now, will the Kremlin submit to the will and right to self-determination of the Ingush people, or will it take the necessary steps to impose its will on the Ingush (probably by force)?

UNPO News will closely follow further development and update our readership in the next issue.

The following sources were consulted:

www.ingushetia.info

www.gazeta.ru

www.ichkeria.ru