by Yana Dlugy
GROZNY, Russia Aug 26 (AFP) - Tension is palpable in Chechnya ahead of a presidential vote this weekend, days after a brazen rebel attack in Grozny reminded residents that a five-year war in Russia's Caucasus republic simmers on.
Visitors driving into the capital Grozny just days ahead of Sunday's vote had to make their way past three official checkpoints -- manned by military or interior ministry troops -- and at least three unofficial ones -- manned by armed men whose allegiances were not self-evident.
"I was driving home the other night and I see this guy waving me to stop -- big guy, with a beard, armed," said one resident who, like many Chechens, preferred that his name not be used.
"I didn't know whether he was a rebel or what. He stops me and asks for ID. I showed him my driver's licence... because you know, after the recent events, it's safer not to show your work ID."
The "recent events" -- which came a week before Chechens were due to vote to replace their leader Akhmad Kadyrov who was killed in an explosion in May -- include a coordinated raid staged by rebels during which they set up their own checkpoints and shot people with official IDs, according to the local grapevine.
The attacks -- several groups of rebels struck at official targets throughout the capital, killing from six to 50 people depending on whom you believe -- resembled in everything but magnitude a raid staged in neighboring Ingushetia in mid-June and have raised tensions in war-weary Chechnya.
"Everybody is expecting something," is a phrase invariably heard in conversations here.
And indeed, after darkness falls on Grozny, armored personnel carriers (APCs) block off the road in front of the pro-Moscow government compoun,d and the unofficial checkpoints in the capital -- most of the time manned by the gruff men of the security service of Kadyrov's feared son, Ramzan -- multiply.
Sunday's presidential poll is Chechnya's second in less than a year and, like last time, the Kremlin-backed candidate is widely expected to win.
He is Alu Alkhanov, a 47-year-old career police officer whom Kadyrov had appointed interior minister a little over a year ago.
Just as during Kadyrov's election, when his face stared out from most of the campaign posters plastered throughout the republic, Alkhanov's moustachioed face peers out from posters along Chechnya's main highway and from half-destroyed buildings in Grozny.
Coverage of him dominates the nightly local news and his name has replaced Kadyrov's as part of spray-painted logans on buildings and bridges.
But unlike Kadyrov, a mufti and former rebel who was widely known and respected in Chechnya, most Chechens had until a few months ago never heard of Alkhanov, a quiet-spoken man who has had a lackluster police career.
And so it is difficult to find someone truly excited about the prospect of his candidacy. When asked about the upcoming vote, most people just sigh and wave as if swatting a pesty insect.
"Less people will take part in these elections than last year, because the Kremlin is more cynically pushing through his candidacy," said Lyema Turpalov, an editor of a local newspaper.
"Putin has met with him so many times," often in televised appearances and "people understand that the president has already been appointed."
People from Alkhanov's hometown of Urus-Martan, which lies some 20 kilometers south of Grozny, are a bit more excited about his candidacy.
"Turnout will be high because he is one of ours," predicted a police officer.
"Everyone knows him here," said Zara, a 45-year-old resident of the town who said she did not personally know the candidate. "He has always been honest. My neighbor's husband went to school with him, I think, and he said he was honest."
Then she sighed and almost whispered an oft-repeated phrase here, "We're all just hoping that these elections pass quickly."