VLADIVOSTOK ELECTIONS PLAGUED BY SCANDAL.

Controversy is raging over elections for the mayor of Vladivostok, capital of Primorsky Krai in Russia’s Far East. Yesterday, the central electoral authorities in Moscow said electoral officials in Vladivostok acted unlawfully when, at the last minute, they removed the name of incumbent mayor Viktor Cherepkov from the list of candidates in the September 27 election. Local officials accused Cherepkov of violating campaigning regulations. A large number of voters expressed their disgust by crossing out the names of all the candidates on the ballot paper. The Moscow authorities threatened yesterday to disband the local electoral commission. This could derail elections to the Vladivostok legislature, due to take place on October 18. Because of incessant quarrels, Vladivostok is currently the only Russian city without an acting legislature (Itar-Tass, September 29).

MASKHADOV UNDER ATTACK.