De facto Presidential Elections being held in Occupied Abkhazia

Today, March 22, the de facto presidential elections are being held in occupied Abkhazia. 

The decision was made following a court ruling which announced the previous “presidential elections” held in the occupied region on September 8, 2019, illegitimate and ruled to call for repeated “elections”.

A repeated "election" was preceded by opposition rallies and the storming of government buildings. 

Raul Khajimba, who won "elections" back in September 2019, is no longer running in today's "elections." Only three candidates, Aslan Bzhania, Adgur Ardzinba and Leonid Dziapshpa, have expressed their desire for the presidency in Abkhazia.

The main opposition candidate is Aslan Bzhania, who failed to run in the previous "elections" due to a health problem. Repeated "elections" have been appointed as a result of the active actions of his supporters.

Due to the dangers of the spread of COVID-19, Russian delegates, who usually observe the "elections," are not attending the process for the first time. A limited number of international observers are presented on the spot, including representatives of the Russian embassy in Abkhazia.

By Ana Dumbadze