Voting in Kodori Gorge Postponed

The Central Election Commission ruled today to postpone holding of presidential elections in Kodori gorge, in breakaway Abkhazia until January 12.

Kodori gorge is the only territory in breakaway Abkhazia, which is under the Georgia’s control.

“Holding of the elections in this gorge is of huge political importance,” Zurab Tchiaberashvili, the Chairman of the Central Election Commission said.

It was impossible to provide the polling stations in Kodori gorge with the ballot papers and other equipment for the elections, due to heavy weather conditions in this high mountainous gorge.

Thus, the final results of the January 4 snap presidential elections will be released on January 12. Initially announcement of the results were scheduled for January 7.

With more than 25% of votes counted Mikheil Saakashvili received more than 96% of support. According to Tchiaberashvili, the figure is unlikely to change significantly when final results are released.