The parliament in Russia's North Caucasus republic of Daghestan has voted to eliminate directs elections for the head of the republic.



Deputies voted 74 to nine, with three abstentions, on April 18 to give parliament the right to elect the republic's leader.



Daghestan is currently led by acting president Ramazan Abdulatipov.



He was appointed to the post by the Russian President Vladimir Putin in January.



Putin signed a law earlier this month that allowed parliaments in regions to elect republic leaders rather than conducting popular elections.



The parliament in another of Russia’s North Caucasus republics, Ingushetia, is also due hold a congress on April 20 to vote on whether to eliminate direct elections.



It will address a range of election-related issues.



The election of Ingushetia's leader is scheduled for September.



Based on reporting by Interfax and Ekho Moskvy