Official says Chechen elections valid

GROZNY, November 27 (RIA Novosti) - The parliamentary elections in the North Caucasian republic of Chechnya can be considered as valid, with the 25.7% electoral turnout as of 14:00, the republic's electoral commission chairman said Sunday. "The parliamentary elections can be considered as valid because the required 25% margin was reached," Ismail Baikhanov said.