Presidential elections started in Abkhazia. 174 polling stations opened at 08:00am, two of them are located in Moscow and Cherkessk.
According to the Central Election Commission about 127 citizens of the republic are included in the list of voters.
For the first time one can vote with passports of the citizen of the Republic of Abkhazia only. 83 international observers from 21 countries will observe presidential elections in Abkhaiza. Besides, over 100 representatives of the “For fair elections” League will observe the elections.
Five candidates run for presidency. They are the incumbent President Sergey Bagapsh, he was nominated by «United Abkhazia»; a former vice-president Raul Khadzhimba, the general director of the «Abkhaz sea shipping company» state-owned company Zaur Ardzinba; the Chairman of the Economic Development Party Beslan Butba and a Doctor of Sciences Vitaly Bganba.
A presidential candidate must receive 50 % plus one vote of all voters to win in the first round. In case no candidates receives the necessary percentage of votes the second round of the elections will be held within two weeks. The winner will be determined by simple majority of votes.
Polling stations will be closed at 08:00pm.
abkhaziagov.org
