Abkhazia’s Presidential Election Advances to Second Round After Snap Vote
Abkhazia’s presidential election will proceed to a second round after no candidate achieved a majority. Former Vice-President Badra Gunba and opposition leader Adgur Ardzinba lead the race. Voting saw a notable turnout, especially in Moscow, while the elections faced scrutiny over participants’ eligibility. International observers monitored the process, and a second round is expected soon.
Abkhazia’s presidential election has advanced to a second round, as no candidate achieved an outright majority in the snap elections held on Saturday. Voters will soon decide between the two leading contenders: former Vice-President Badra Gunba, who received 46.38% of the votes, and opposition leader Adgur Ardzinba, who garnered 36.92%. Candidates Robert Arshba, Oleg Bartsits, and Adgur Khurkhumal were eliminated from the race due to insufficient votes.
Voting occurred across Abkhazia and at polling stations in Russia, including Moscow and Cherkessk. The Central Election Commission reported a voter turnout of approximately 65%, consistent with previous averages. Notably, Moscow saw a record turnout with almost 2,700 voters, according to Beslan Kobakhiya, head of the Moscow precinct commission.
There have been allegations from opposition members of the Abkhazian diaspora suggesting that certain ethnic Russians with recently issued Abkhazian passports participated in the voting in Moscow. Observations from both candidate headquarters and international monitors confirmed that the elections proceeded without significant violations. However, the absence of Russian observers was noted, as Russia declined to send any following a proposed reduction in observer numbers.
Despite Russian observers not being present, a delegation from 25 countries, including Italy, France, and South Korea, monitored the elections in Abkhazia. The law mandates that the second round of elections be conducted within two weeks of the initial vote, likely scheduling it for March 1. Eligible voters may cast their ballots for either Gunba, Ardzinba, or indicate opposition to all candidates.
The presidential elections in Abkhazia have resulted in a run-off due to no candidate securing a majority. Voter turnout was historically high, especially in Moscow, although concerns arose regarding the participation of ethnic Russians with recent documentation. International observers confirmed the integrity of the process, despite the absence of Russian representatives. The upcoming second round is anticipated to finalize the electoral outcome.
Original Source: oc-media.org
