Abkhazian presidential election, 2009

The presidential election in Abkhazia in 2009 took place on 12 December 2009. It was the fourth election of a head of state in the election date internationally recognized only by Russia, Nicaragua and Venezuela, the Republic of Abkhazia.

Sergei Bagapsh incumbent announced his intention to run for another term. Other candidates were former Vice President Raul Khadzhimba and the chairman of Partija ERA, Beslan Butba. Previously, Foreign Minister Sergei Shamba had yet been traded as a possible presidential candidate. As surprising was the candidacy of the economist and philosopher Vitaly Bganba. The registration of candidates took place from 13 October until 12 November 2009 and had to go through an officially registered support group (eg, a party ) may be requested. All candidates were subjected by the Central Election Commission a language test in which they had to prove knowledge of the Abkhaz language. No candidate reaches the required absolute majority of votes, the Abkhaz legislation provides for a runoff election within 14 days after the first ballot.

Registered candidates

Results

Criticism of the conduct of the electoral campaign and the election

During the election campaign put opposition candidates Ardzinba, Butba and Khadzhimba at the Central Election Commission a complaint against the election campaigns of the incumbent. They criticized, Bagapsh can use the advantages of his office from the election campaign, which is not permitted by Abkhaz law. So it was in the time before the election a daily presence in the broadcasts of the Abkhaz state TV.

After the election, the campaign team of the second-placed candidate Raul Khadzhimba presented a report on irregularities in the election. As a result, about members of the national minorities in Abkhazia are intimidated and have been forced to choose from with the threat that there could be difficulties in the payment of pensions and the extension of personal documents. It is also intended after the election about 11,000 more voters have given as before the election, while at the same time in Rajon Gali in connection with the so-called five-day war and the subsequent escape of many a member of the Georgian minority the number of electors to have fallen by several thousand. Chadschimbas staff suspects against this background that it is in the additional voters to persons who repeatedly cast their votes. Furthermore, should have been listed in the voter lists persons who are no longer living in Abkhazia since the military conflict in the early 1990s.