Abkhazia to hold second round of parliamentary polls

The parliamentary polls in Abkhazia on March 10 have been concluded, with winners in 13 out of 35 districts, RIA Novosti reports.

148 candidates were running for 35 seats at the parliament of the 5th calling. 44.50% of the population voted, CEC Chairman Batal Tabagua said. No serious violations were registered.

According to preliminary information, the winners include Raul Hajimba of the Forum of People’s Unity, the speaker of Parliament Nugzar Ashuba, and Daur Gurgulia, a surgeon from a military hospital.

The second round will be held in 22 electoral districts, with 7 of them in Sukhumi. International observers say that the votes on March 10 were held according to national and international laws.

The elections need 25% of the population to attend. A candidate needs over 50% of the vote. Elections were held with single-mandate electoral districts according to the first-past-the-post system. 46 international observers from 9 states monitor the process.