Russia Sets Date For Chechen Parliamentary Poll

14 July 2005 (RFE/RL) -- A Russian official said today that Chechnya will hold parliamentary elections on 27 November.

Regional Development Minister Vladimir Yakovlev made the announcement at a cabinet meeting in Moscow.

Russia and Moscow-backed Chechen officials have promised parliamentary elections in the war-wracked republic after establishing a regional constitution and holding presidential elections.

Rights groups criticized the presidential votes in 2003 and 2004, saying the winners had unfair advantages.

(ITAR-TASS/RIA-Novosti/AP)