Ingush Assembly OKs Leadership Election Change In First Reading

Russia's North Caucasus republic of Ingushetia has approved a draft bill in the first reading that would eliminate direct elections for the republic's leader.

Ingushetia’s People's Assembly voted to allow the republic's leader to be elected by lawmakers.

The assembly will consider the bill again in second and third readings next month.

Last week, Ingushetia's People’s Congress recommended the bill to the People’s Assembly for approval.

Elections for the republic's leader are scheduled for September.

On April 18, another of Russia’s North Caucasus republics -- Daghestan -- voted to end popular elections for the head of the republic and give the parliament the right to elect the leader.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law this month allowing parliaments in regions and republics to elect their leaders rather than conduct popular elections.

Based on reporting by RIA Novosti and Interfax