Chechen President Alu Alkhanov promised a democratic parliamentary elections in the republic Wednesday and expressed the region's readiness to go to the polls.

It is necessary for all the political forces that care about the republic's future to participate in the elections, Alkhanov told members of the Chechen State Council, which currently acts as parliament, the Interfax news agency reported.

A democratic parliamentary election will promote the development of the Chechen society, boost the authority of the republic, help revive the economy and improve the social environment, Alkhanov said.

Alkhanov told reporters after meeting with members of the Chechen State Council that the North Caucasus republic is ready for the elections.

"Today's crime rates, the political situation and public life allow us to hold the elections because a civil society has been built in the Chechen republic," Alkhanov said.

"Taking account of these factors, I addressed Russian President Vladimir Putin and asked him to set a date for the elections," Alkhanov said.

Putin signed a decree Tuesday setting Nov. 27 as the date for the first parliamentary elections in Chechnya.

Chechen officials have said the Chechen parliament will have two chambers. The upper house, the Republican Council, will have 21 seats and the lower house, the People's Assembly, will have 40 members, 20 of them to be elected in individual constituencies and as many on party tickets.

Source: Xinhua