New Abkhaz CEC Chief Appointed

On December 14 the Abkhaz Central Election Commission (CEC) elected Batal Tabagua as Chairman of the CEC, RIA Novosti news agency reported.

Tabagua previously served as the unrecognized republic?s Justice Minister.

The new 15-member CEC held its first session on December 14, in order to elect a chairman, after resolving the two-month election crisis in the unrecognized republic.

The crisis, which ignited after disputed October 3 presidential elections, led to the resignation of several CEC members, including the chairman of the commission.

According to the Abkhaz election code, the President of the unrecognized republic appoints seven members of the CEC, while the other eight members are appointed by the Parliament.