As BarentsObserver reported earlier today, independent candidate Nadezhda Shelkovnikova won a surprise victory in Sunday’s mayoral elections in Pechenga with a convincing 51,9 percent of the votes. With that, Shelkovnikova, the Director of the state-supported Pechenga Centre for Social Support, looked set to take over the reigns in the border municipality with a population of about 40,000. Her victory was announced by regional media, among them Hibiny.ru and B-port.com
Revised results
Now, the political future of Ms Shelkovnikova looks more uncertain. As reported by B-port.com Monday night, the Election Commission has adjusted the election figures, giving Shelkovnikova only 49,75 percent of the votes. With that result, a second election round is required.
That means that Shelkovnikova will face Vladimir Ogienko, the official candidate of the United Russia party and town mayor of Zapolyarny, in a second round of voting. Mr. Ogienko won 21,25 percent of the votes in the first round.
The other two contenders to the mayor’s post, Valery Lisichev, former General Director of the Pechenganickel company and Aleksandr Morozov, Director of a local school and deputy in the local town council, won respectively 12.01 percent and 9.85 percent of the votes, the Election Commission informs.
Back to power?
Nadezhda Shelkovnikova is 59 years of age and earlier served in a high post in the administration of former mayor Ivanov. The last year, she has headed the Pechenga Centre for Social Support, an institution established in 2009 by Governor Dmitry Dmitriyenko. She is believed to be very well known with the challenges of the municipality
Election scandal
The revised election results come after a troublesome start in the local election campaign. The Election Commission early turned down the candidacy of local Mayor Viktor Mavrin, following registration irregularities.
In any case, the results of Nadezhda Shelkovnikova must be seen as a blow both to the local United Russia party, and to the Pechenganickel plant, whose candidates proved unable to challenge the independent Shelkovnikova. It can also be seen as a sign of a general dissatisfaction with local authorities. As BarentsObserver has reported, the municipality has over the last year struggled with unstable power and heating supplies, and local political conflicts have been abundant.
With her high level of support, Shelkovnikova will be hard to beat also in the second round of voting.
Election turnout in the in the first round was 40 percent.
