Abkhazia is holding early presidential polls. 24.04% of citizens have
voted, according to information at noon, spokesman of the Central
Electoral Commission Batal Tabaguya said.
Early elections in Abkhazia were organized after the death of
President Sergey Bagapsh. There are three candidates: Acting President
Alexander Ankvab, Prime Minister Sergey Shamba and leader of the Forum
of People's Unity of Abkhazia, Rail Hajimbu.
Tabaguya did not compare indicators of December 2009. The candidates
need 50% + 1 vote.
Alexey Kochetkov, head of the autonomous non-commercial organization
for election monitoring of the CIS, said on Friday that he was very
impressed by the well-organized process and attendance of citizens at
the Gudautsky District.
Israeli monitor Avigdor Yeskin said praised the electoral commissions
and noted lack of incidents.
Ukrainian monitor Oleg Vernik said that the large amount of voters
does not drag the work of polling stations, at least in Pitsunda.
119 international monitors from 27 states are observing the electoral
process, although more were expected, Foreign Minister Maksim
Gvinzhiya said in Sukhumi on Friday.
The minister said that the elections will be held clearly and without
falsifications. The elections meet international standards,
Constantine Kosachev, chairman of the parliament commission for
international relations, said.
A major group of Russian MPs will visit headquarters of the candidates
on August 26 and polling stations in Sukhumi, Gagry, Gudaut. Russia
will express its rating of the electoral process on August 27.
Kosachev said that there are 5 groups of Russian monitors operating.
They visited 8 polling stations in Sukhumi by 9.30 am. The elections
coincide with the day of independence of Abkhazia.
