Abkhazia presidential election opens

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Source: BBC

A presidential election has begun in Abkhazia, the first poll in the breakaway Georgian region since Russia recognised its independence last year. All five candidates support strong ties with Moscow, including the incumbent Sergei Bagapsh. Russia now provides security and 60% of Abkhazia's budget.

Most of the region's ethnic Georgians, who constitute almost one third of the population, are not eligible to vote. And they are cut off from Georgia proper by a border controlled by Russian guards. ...an estimated 40,000 ethnic Georgians live in the region, but the local law prevents most of them from voting because they do not have Abkhaz passports.

It has been recognised as independent by Russia, Venezuela and Nicaragua. More importantly it is receiving far more Russian investment than it did before. All five presidential candidates say more should be done to attract Russian business and to seek recognition by other states.

But critics say Russia's intentions might not be straightforward and have warned the winner of these elections not to sell out to Moscow completely.



Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8409325.stm

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1. "Sergei Bagapsh re-elected president of Abkhazia"-BBC

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8410601.stm

"Sergei Bagapsh has won a second five-year term as president of the breakaway Georgian region of Abkhazia, electoral officials there have announced. Preliminary results from the first poll since Russia recognised Abkhazia as an independent state last year showed Mr Bagapsh had taken 59% of the vote.

"The runner-up, Raul Khajimba, has complained of widespread fraud. Mr Khajimba, a former vice-president who came a distant second with 15.4% of the vote, said he would contest the result. There were irregularities at every polling station," he told the AFP news agency. "I will submit a complaint to the central election commission and will also go to court."

But Russian and Venezuelan election observers said voting had been fair and transparent. No major international organisation monitored the election on Saturday.

Since its brief war with Georgia last year over another disputed territory, South Ossetia, Russia has provided security for Abkhazia and about 60% of its budget.