Sep 28, 2016
GROZNY, CHECHNYA — At a polling station in Chechnya's capital, Grozny, children in traditional costume danced to music as voters walked past to cast their ballots.
More a celebration than an exercise in democracy as Chechen voters for the first time elected strongman Ramzan Kadyrov.
The landslide win was predictable as Kadyrov has ruled Chechnya for a decade, appointed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, with almost total control.
"Everyone will vote unanimously, because they are voting not just for someone's seats in the Duma (parliament), not just for someone's seats in state bodies but, they are voting for their future," says Grozny's mayor, Muslim Khuchiev.
Kadyrov is seen by supporters as bringing peace and development, after two failed wars for independence, while critics say he has become a cult of personality.
"All the environment around us speaks for itself. I think, I even know and I am sure, that this bright blue sky, that is thanks to Ramzan Kadyrov!" says Kadyrov supporter Melizha Karnaeva.
A rebel like his father, they switched sides to join Putin, who spent billions to rebuild Chechnya and prop up Kadyrov, who in return cracked down on militants and critics.
Political parties that oppose to Kadyrov did no even campaigning in Chechnya out of fear their supporters would be persecuted.
"We keep working in the regions. What motivates this? This is our Republic! We were born here. We can't be indifferent to what is happening here," says Abdulla Duduev .
While the election lends Kadyrov a veil of legitimacy, critics say he runs the republic as his own kingdom, ignoring federal laws.
"Well, he established peace. So, that's fact. So, that's no doubt. Chechen society, they paid a huge price for this stability," says the Carnegie Moscow Center's Alexei Malashenko.
Chechnya's stability will one day be tested, say analysts, when Putin is no longer in the Kremlin or Kadyrov is no longer in power.
Officials fear that day could come sooner if the hundreds of Islamist Chechens fighting in Syria try to bring their fight back home.
Daniel Schearf, VOANES,GROZNY.
Olga Pavlova contributed to this report.