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Georgian separatist region Abkhazia holds presidential elections

12 December 2009 09:07 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA. On Saturday, the separatist regime of the Georgian Abkhazia region holds presidential elections, first one since the recognition of Abkhazian â€œindependenceâ€ by Russia, Nicaragua and Venezuela, APA reports.

Five candidates - incumbent leaders of the separatists Sergei Bagapsh, doctor of economics Vitaly Bganba, former vice president Raul Khachimba, chief of the state navigation office Zaur Ardzinba and chairman of the Economic Development Party Beslan Butba - run for the presidency.

127 voters will vote in 174 electoral districts. 25 % turnout will make the elections valid. The candidate gathering more than 50 percent of votes will win the elections. Otherwise, second round of the elections will be held two weeks later. The winner will be determined in this round with the simple majority of the votes.

The first results will be declared on Sunday.