Early presidential elections in Chechnya set for September

The early presidential elections in Chechnya will be held no later than the first Sunday in September 2004, Alexander Veshnyakov, chairman of the Central Election Commission, said Tuesday.

Chechen President Akhmad Kadyrov died in a terrorist explosion on May 9. The acting president is Prime Minister Sergei Abramov.

According to Mr. Veshnyakov, the republican election commission shall take the decision on the election date no later than 14 days after the death of President Kadyrov. The Chechen Constitution stipulates that the decision on presidential elections shall be taken by the republican parliament, Mr. Veshnyakov said live on Mayak radio. However, the parliament has not been formed and hence the elections will be set by the republican election commission.

Alexander Veshnyakov said at least 80 days must pass from the moment when the decision is made to the election date.