Abkhaz Court to Discuss Gali Re-Vote

On October 11 the Supreme Court of the unrecognized Abkhazian Republic will discuss an appeal by the pro-governmental presidential candidate Raul Khajimba, who demands to cancel the Central Election Commission?s (CEC) decision to hold a presidential re-vote only in the Gali district.

The CEC annulled the election results in the predominantly Georgian populated Gali district, citing numerous procedural violations and appointed a partial re-vote for October 17.

Khajimba claims that a partial re-vote would be illegal as it is not outlined by the Abkhaz constitution. Khajimba demands to hold repeat elections in the entire breakaway region.

Meanwhile, the opposition candidate Sergey Bagapsh, who, according to the partial results of the CEC, led in October 3 presidential polls, also appealed the Supreme Court, demanding the cancellation of the CEC?s decision regarding a partial re-vote.

Sergey Bagapsh claims that the elections in Gali were held without violations and demands to validate the ballots cast in Gali district.