On 8 June 1991, a nationalist opposition Chechen National Congress, albeit lacking a legal authority, passed a resolution dissolving the Supreme Soviet of the Checheno-Ingush Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic and proclaiming the Chechen Republic (Nokhchi-Cho).

The leadership of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic also supported removing Doku Zavgayev from office.

The Ingush lost the land following their deportation to Central Asia in 1944, and then recent Russian law On the Rehabilitation of Repressed Peoples, passed in April 1991, gave them hopes of returning the territory.

[5] Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Georgia sent their observers, and the representatives of non-governmental organizations from several countries also attended the elections.

[8] On 1 November, Dzokhar Dudayev issued a decree declaring the independence of the Chechen Republic.

Police patrols were issued automatic rifles and security was strengthened around Russian Parliament in Moscow in face of threats against Yeltsin's life coming from Grozny.