2003-03-27

GROZNY, March 27th, RIA Novosti - More than 88 percent of voters took part in the referendum on the Chechen Constitution. Ninety-six percent cast their votes for it. This official outcome of the referendum conducted on March 23 was announced by chairman of the Chechen Election Commission Abdul-Kerim Arsakhanov.

According to him, the Commission got ballots from all 20 constituencies and votes from all 418 polling stations were counted.

It is the first time in history when the Chechen people have adopted their Constitution in a free vote, the Chechen Election Commission chairman stressed. Moreover, he emphasized that the Chechen republic had always been a subject of the Russian Federation and it would remain one in the future.

Mr. Arsakhanov pointed out that the referendum had been monitored by representatives of respectful international organizations including the OSCE and the PACE as well as the League of Arab States, the Embassies of Japan, Egypt, Yemen, Indonesia, and Malaysia. No serious violations have been registered.