Arshba Withdraws from Abkhaz Presidential Race

Vice-President of breakaway Abkhazia Valeri Arshba has withdrawn his candidacy from the presidential race of the unrecognized republic, scheduled for October 3.

Speaking live on the local television on September 4, Arshba said he will not run for presidency, citing illegal pre-election campaigning by the candidates, Russian Itar-Tass news agency reported.

?Competition between the candidates is far beyond the legal frames, envisaged by the constitution of Abkhazia,? Valeri Arshba said.

Earlier the Central Election Commission (CEC) of the unrecognized Abkhazia Republic refused registration to the opposition candidate, former Interior Minister of Abkhazia Alexander Ankvab. He refused to pass a test in Abkhazian language, which is required from each of the presidential candidate. The CEC also claimed that Ankvab has not permanently lived in Abkhazia for the past five years, which also is a precondition to join the race.

As a result, a total of five candidates remain in the presidential race:

1. Raul Khajimba, who has just quit the prime-ministerial position to run for the elections and is endorsed by both current president Vladislav Ardzinba and the Russian president Vladimir Putin;

2. Chief of the Abkhaz power company ChernoMorEnergo Sergei Bagapsh, whose candidacy is supported by the leading opposition movements Amtsakhara and United Abkhazia;

3. Former Foreign Minister of the breakaway region Sergei Shamba;

4. Ex-Prime Minister Anri Jergenia;

5. Leader of the Abkhazian Peoples? Party Iakub Lakoba.

Khajimba is widely tipped to become the President largely due to the Russian support, however the opposition is believed to be strong and the outcome is far from certain.