Chechen Minister Accuses Central Bank of Bias in New Banknote Design Vote

Chechnya's Minister for National Policy, Akhmed Dudayev, accused the Russian Central Bank of "failing to ensure objectivity and fairness" during the online vote for the symbol of the new 500-ruble banknote dedicated to the North Caucasus Federal District.

Earlier, the Central Bank launched an open vote, asking users to choose an image for the back of the banknote. The main discussion centered on two frontrunners: Mount Elbrus and the Grozny-City complex.

After the mountain symbol took the lead, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov called for support for the Grozny-City complex and promised to raffle off ten iPhone 17s among those who voted. In response, State Duma Deputy Speaker Vyacheslav Davankov promised a trip to a sanatorium on Mount Elbrus to those who voted for the other option.

Following complaints about vote manipulation and the use of fake accounts, the Central Bank changed the rules—voting is now only possible through a verified account on the Gosuslugi website. This decision sparked outrage in Chechnya. According to Dudayev, the republic had shown high turnout and was taking the lead, but the Central Bank is "changing the terms of the vote it announced" and restricting access to platforms where Chechens are "gaining momentum."

The minister also stated that a wave of insults against residents of the region and attempts to discredit their participation have begun online. He blamed this on "nationalists, liberals, and foreign agents," who, he said, are seeking to sow discord and undermine confidence in the vote.

Currently, according to the open ranking, the image of Mount Elbrus is leading.

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