Abkhaz CEC Members Admit Election Results are Illegal

Eight members of the Abkhaz Central Election Commission (CEC) apealed to the Supreme Court of the unrecognized republic on October 19, claiming that the CEC protocol from October 11, which declared opposition candidate Sergey Bagapsh as the president-elect, is illegal.

The appeal reads that the decision was ?mainly politically-motivated, rather than legal? and was adopted ?in a difficult political situation in order to avoid public confrontation.? 
 
Former Chairman of the CEC Sergey Smir, who filed hid resignation after the CEC adopted this controversial protocol, is among those members of the commission who have signed the appeal to the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, the Abkhaz Supreme Court launched considerations of an appeal by pro-governmental presidential candidate Raul Khajimba, who demands the cancellation of the CEC?s October 11 decision declaring his opponent Bagapsh as the president-elect. The hearing is scheduled to be continued on October 20.