Russian Vice-Speaker: Abkhaz Polls Valid, Despite Violations in Gali

Vice-Speaker of the Russian Parliament Sergey Baburin, who is in breakaway Abkhazia to observe the presidential elections there, said at a news conference on January 12 that numerous violations were observed in the Gali district, which is predominately populated by an ethnic Georgian population, Regnum news agency reported.

However, he added that ?there are all precondition to announce the presidential elections as valid.?

Sergey Baburin, who personally observed the elections in the Gali district, confirmed earlier reports that units of the Abkhaz governmental guard, which is under the direct control of the outgoing Abkhaz President Vladislav Ardzinba, blocked several polling stations and prevented voters from casting their ballots.

The Russian Vice-Speaker also said that the outgoing President or Prime Minister Nodar Khashba should explain why this incident took place.