Famid Gitinov, Makhachkala. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza
One of the most acute issues in Dagestan today is the order of electing or appointing a head of the republic. Ramzan Abdulatipov’s appearance in office and the fact that he is still only “acting head of the republic” stir up interest to the topic which has been frozen for a long time.
The initial statement by Abdulatipov that the head of the republic should be elected directly was replaced (probably after he faced political reality) by a view that the head should be elected by members of the People’s Assembly of Dagestan. It is unlikely to be connected with his fear of not being elected – Abdulatipov has already charmed the whole Dagestani population with his open and honest speeches.
Dagestanis are waiting for the session of the People’s Assembly, which should take place on April 18th. Deputies will consider issues about the means of electing a head of the republic and on corresponding amendments to the laws. There is no agreement of opinion in Dagestani society on the issue. Some people stand for the appointment of a head by the president of the country; others – for studying democracy through experience, even though it could be negative.
Some political leaders of Dagestan have spoken out for elections through the parliament – the best option in the current situation. According to them, direct elections could lead to provocations and a destabilization of the situation in the republic. Moreover, elections through the parliament will avoid a lot of financial expenditure. The head of the Executive Council of the Dagestani regional office of United Russia, Marina Abramkina, expressed her view on the situation: “When some say that people cannot trust MPs, they are cunning. If you have doubts about the work of a deputy, you have a right to call him off. But it is wrong to accuse all 90 MPs of being unworthy. We need a head who must be elected quickly and effectively to move on.”
On April 13 the other session of the project “Dagestani Civil University” discussed the order of electing a head of the republic. The opinions of participants divided into equal parts. It seems discussions will continue till April 18th, even though the problems seem to be settled.
Let’s face the truth. How can direct elections take place in the republic? The involvement of administrative resources is a well-known fact. SMS and online voting suffer from using administrative resources as well. Elections through the parliament will probably have one option: one candidate is presented, MPs vote for him. In this context it would be more honest for the head of the republic to be appointed by the president of the country.
