Oct 07, 2004

Abkhazia: 2nd round of Abkhazia election depends on Gali district


The second round of presidential election in Abkhazia depends on the ballot outcome in the Gali district of the unrecognized republic, Abkhaz Central Electoral Commission Chairman Sergei Smyr told Itar-Tass on Tuesday.
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The second round of presidential election in Abkhazia depends on the ballot outcome in the Gali district of the unrecognized republic, Abkhaz Central Electoral Commission Chairman Sergei Smyr told Itar-Tass on Tuesday.

He said 76,656 voters took part in the election, and the winner of the first round needed 50% of the vote (38,329). Prime Minister Raul Khadzhima has 29,490 votes, and Chernomorenergo General Director Sergei Bagapsh has 35,092.

No less than 10,000 people took part in the election in the Gali district, but several candidates are questioning the ballot outcome. The Central Electoral Commission and five presidential candidates will have a meeting to discuss the ballot results in the Gali district.

Meanwhile, Khadzhima has called for annulling the election results and holding a new election. A source in the Khadzhima election staff said that large-scale violations in the Gali district influenced the general outcome of the election. The staff says that over 700 people illegally took part in the ballot and forged voting papers were used in the Gali district.

Meanwhile, Bagapsh strongly protests against a new ballot. “The Central Electoral Commission must analyze the situation,” he said.

Source: Itar-Tass