Russia holding regional elections

MOSCOW, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- Regional elections began in Russia Sunday with nearly 30 million votes expected to be cast, RIA Novosti reported.

The Russian news agency said 90,000 candidates were on the ballots in 76 regions, including the North Caucasus republics of Chechnya and Ingushetia.

The elections in Chechnya and Ingushetia represent their first municipal elections. Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov said Friday he expected 99 percent of Chechen eligible voters to take part.

Meanwhile, the Central Election Commission said no serious violations had been reported at the polls.

RIA Novosti said more than 75,000 police officers and more than 3,000 interior troops were on duty Sunday to ensure calm in the country.