Kadyrov secures fifth term in Chechnya with 99.85% of vote

Kadyrov, who has led Chechnya since 2007, is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. His latest vote share is slightly higher than the 99.73%

Ramzan Kadyrov has been re-elected as head of Russia’s predominantly Muslim Chechen Republic for a fifth term, securing 99.85% of the vote, according to Russia’s Central Electoral Commission.

Kadyrov, who has led Chechnya since 2007, is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. His latest vote share is slightly higher than the 99.73% officially recorded in the 2021 election and exceeds his 97.94% result in 2016.

The two other candidates, Ismail Denilkhanov and Khalid Nakaev, each received 0.05% of the vote, according to the election authorities. The voting took place from September 18 to 20 alongside Russia’s parliamentary and regional elections.

Kadyrov has maintained close political ties with the Kremlin and has repeatedly emphasized his loyalty to Putin. International observers and human rights organisations have previously criticised election practices and alleged rights violations under his administration, allegations Kadyrov has rejected.