18:00, 3 November 2009

Five candidates nominated to the post of Abkhazian President

The nomination, which lasted from October 13 to November 2, of candidates to the post of the President of the republic is over. The candidates are the incumbent President Sergey Bagapsh - from the Party "Edinaya Abkhazia", Beslan Butba - from the "Party of Economic Development", Raul Khadzhimba, Zaur Ardzinba and Vitaly Bganba - from their initiative groups.

Now, the candidates will be registered till November 12; then, they will have the right to start campaigning.
At registration of candidates for the President, they will be tested for fluency in the state Abkhazian language. For this purpose a linguistic commission of five persons was set up.

According to the republic's Central Electoral Commission (CEC), the presidential election will be held in 35 constituencies, where 186 polling stations will be opened. Two more precincts will be set up in Moscow and Cherkessk. The issue of opening polling stations in the Turkish Republic for the members of the numerous Abkhazian Diaspora is still open.

Author: Angela Kuchuberia

Source: CK correspondent