GROZNY, November 28 (RIA Novosti) - Chechen President Alu Alkhanov said Monday that a delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) had not found major violations during Sunday's parliamentary elections in the North Caucasus republic.
"The [PACE] mission congratulated us with the completion of the elections and made no serious critical remarks," Alkhanov said, adding that PACE's opinion was very important to Chechnen authorities because the republic wants to build a democratic society.
"We have emerged from two post-crisis situations and cannot build democracy immediately, but I am sure that, with a new parliament, the democratic processes is strengthening," he said.
Alkhanov said the members of the delegation had been allowed to speak freely with local residents, some of whom had voiced their concerns over security and cases of kidnapping in the republic.
PACE representative from Switzerland and rapporteur on Chechnya Andreas Gross said the delegation had held discussions with Alkhanov and Deputy Prime Minister Ramzan Kadyrov and praised both officials for frank dialog.
He said the delegation had made minor critical remarks on the elections and received information on the situation in the republic by speaking with residents on the streets.
The delegation does not have observer status, since PACE decided to not send an official delegation for local elections, but is instead on a fact-finding mission to assess the situation in the republic and gather information.
