The 2018 Khakas head election took place on 9 September 2018 in the

Russian republic The Russian Republic,. referred to as the Russian Democratic Federal Republic. in the Decree on the system of government of Russia (1918), 1918 Constitution, was a short-lived state (polity), state which controlled, ''de jure'', the territ ...

of Khakassia, after which opposition candidate

Valentin Konovalov Valentin Olegovich Konovalov (russian: Валенти́н Оле́гович Конова́лов: born November 30, 1987) is a Russian politician, who serves as Head of the Republic of Khakassia, Head of Khakassia since 2018. He was a local poli ...

emerged victorious, although failing to reach the 50% threshold. The

runoff Runoff, run-off or RUNOFF may refer to: * RUNOFF, the first computer text-formatting program * Runoff or run-off, another name for bleed, printing that lies beyond the edges to which a printed sheet is trimmed * Runoff or run-off, a stock market ...

was held on 11 November, which he also won. For the first time in Russia since 1997, other candidates did not participate in the runoff, leading to a rarely used “in favour” and “against” choice.

First round campaign

At the 9 September 2018 proceedings, Communist candidate

received 44% of the vote, and the incumbent Head of Republic Viktor Zimin, nominated by the United Russia, received 32% of the vote. On 21 September Viktor Zimin withdrew his candidacy. The election process dictated that law the third placed candidate, Andrey Filyagin, nominated by A Just Russia, should be included but he also withdrew his candidacy on 2 October. Alexander Myakhar, from the Party of Growth, refused to participate in the election. The withdrawals were described as part of a coordinated effort by the political establishment to prevent Konovalov from winning, as it was considered easier to defeat him with “in favour” and “against” options rather than via a choice between him and another candidate. Konovalov now needed over 50% of the valid votes being cast “in favour” to win. An “against” result would lead to a new election. On 3 October 2018, upon the expiration of Zimin’s term, Russian President

Vladimir Putin Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin; (born 7 October 1952) is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who holds the office of president of Russia. Putin has served continuously as president or prime minister since 1999: as prime min ...

appointed

Mikhail Razvozhayev Mikhail Vladimirovich Razvozhayev (Russian: Михаил Владимирович Развожаев; born 30 December 1980) is a Russian statesman and politician. He is currently the internationally non-recognized Governor of Sevastopol since 2 ...

as the acting Head of the Republic to serve until the second round could be conducted.

Second Round campaign

Former deputy of the Supreme Council of Khakassia, Viktor Lebedev, led the anti-Konovalov forces, named ‘People's Head of Khakassia’. He called for a vote against Konovalov that would result in new elections. He was supported by the Mayor Nikolay Bulakin of Abakan, Mayor of Mikhail Valov of Sayanogorsk and rapper Denis Shulga. In the event of victory, it was hoped that the Putin-appointed interim Head Razvozhayev would take part. Konovalov’s headquarters successfully fought off the challenge, and Konovalov was elected Head with 57.6% of the vote “in favour”.

Candidates

Four candidates were registered to participate in the electionСведения о кандидатах. Выборы Главы Республики Хакасия - Председателя Правительства Республики Хакасия
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Results

2018 election of the Head of Khakassia map

References

{{Elections in Khakassia Khakassia September 2018 events in Russia Politics of Khakassia