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Russia established direct rule of Chechnya in May 2000 and after the full-scale offensive, Chechen militant resistance throughout the North Caucasus region continued to inflict heavy Russian casualties and challenge Russian political control over Chechnya for several more years. Some Chechen separatists also carried out terrorist attacks against civilians in Russia. These terrorist attacks, as well as widespread human rights violations by Russian and separatist forces, drew international condemnation.
The exact death toll from this conflict is unknown. Unofficial estimates range from 25,000 to 50,000 dead or missing, mostly civilians in Chechnya.
Chechnya, a Russian province long the site of an Islamicist insurgency, voted overwhelming for the country's ruling United Russia political party in the weekend parlimentary election, according to official vote results Monday.
Residents of the Caucasian republic gave 99.48 per cent support to the party, which is headed by President Dmitry Medvedev, in the Sunday poll. Turn-out in the mountainous territory was 99.51 per cent, according to official vote participation counts.
Originally posted by Fractured.Facade
Why on earth would anyone have expected any other results in this case?
Putin is God in that region... Votes counted against him would have serious consequences.
Originally posted by redzareptile
I love the Russian attitude. "yes we scwered you and yes there is nothing you can do about it!". All this out in plain sight!!!!
I appreciate their "peristroika" in this regard. "Hey world.... We can do whatever we like... Out in the open!!!"
Originally posted by 3dman7
I pity the 0.52 percent!
Originally posted by Vitchilo
I It would be like NY voting at 99% for McCain in 2008... IMPOSSIBLE. It would be like Boston voting for the British to stay in the US at 99% in 1776. IMPOSSIBLE. Or Afghanistan voting for occupation at 99%. Or Iraq voting for occupation at 99%. Im-po-ssi-ble.
Originally posted by twinmommy38
The opposition is still weak and divided. The “official” opposition that the Kremlin allows to participate in elections—consisting of the Communists, who attracted a babushka vote of 20 percent; the Kremlin-created pseudo-liberal A Just Russia, which polled 13 percent; and the ultranationalist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, which got 11 percent—has long since been co-opted and in practice almost always votes with United Russia.
www.thedailybeast.com...
The entire voting process was a sham, the overall control of the country would not have changed no matter what the election results were. The Kremlin runs the show, same as before elections started. The election results are only a number on a piece of paper to be shoved down the throats of those who are robbed, displaced, or discontent, with the message "you chose, deal with it"
Originally posted by silent thunder
Protip: fifty-one-point-whatever prercent victories seem a lot more convincing. Just ask our recent leaders. Any of them, from whatever side of the isle. Same result, greater illusion of power for the masses.