Abkhaz Officials Fear Low Voter Turnout

On January 7, according to the Abkhaz news agency Apsnipress, chairman of the breakaway Abkhaz Parliament Nugzar Ashuba expressed concern regarding the activity of certain forces in the region directed at thwarting the upcoming presidential elections in Abkhazia, scheduled for January 12.

Nugzar Ashuba, who was speaking at parliamentary hearings over the preparations for the polls, called on the unrecognized republic?s law enforcement agencies ?to eradicate? activities of this kind.

Chief of the administration of the breakaway region?s capital Sokhumi Adgur Kharazia also expressed fears at these hearings that the upcoming elections may face problems with low voter turnout.