Breakaway Abkhazia Goes to the Polls
Polling stations were opened throughout Georgia’s breakaway Abkhazia at 8 am local time in order to elect a new President of the unrecognized republic on October 3. Elections are not recognized internationally.
Reports say that elections are underway in a calm atmosphere. No disorders or tensions have been reported so far.
Five candidates are contesting for the region’s presidency, but only two of them, Raul Khajimba, former Prime Minister and Sergei Bagapsh, chief of the Abkhaz power company ChernoMorEnergo, are considered as having serious chances for victory.
Raul Khajimba, whose candidacy is backed by Moscow, told reporters while casting his ballot in the capital Sokhumi that Abkhazia will seek international recognition of its independence. “We have already been with Georgia; it is enough,” Khajimba said. He added that Abkhazia is ready for economic integration with Russia.
“Policy towards Georgia will not change. If someone [from the Georgian side] wishes to negotiate, we are ready; but a language of threats and ultimatums is inadmissible,” Sergei Bagapsh told reporters after casting his ballot.
According to the Abkhazian Central Election Commission at least half of the eligible voters out of total 120,000 must cast a ballot to consider the elections valid.
According to the Abkhaz election code, the presidential candidate should be ethnically Abkhaz with excellent knowledge of Abkhaz language and who has repentantly resided in Abkhazia for last five years.
Observers foresee that a run-off will be needed, as none of the candidates will be able to win the first round of the polls with an overall majority for the five-year presidential term.
Officials in Tbilisi condemn the elections in Abkhazia as illegitimate; however Georgian authorities are not indifferent towards the Sunday polls. A new leader in the separatist region will emerge after the elections, with whom Tbilisi will have to negotiate over the conflict settlement in the future.
