19/7 Tass 361
SUKHUMI, July 19 (Itar-Tass) —— Representatives of the Russian Public Chamber will monitor the presidential election in Abkhazia, Public Chamber member, Director of the Moscow Human Rights Bureau Alexander Brod told Abkhaz Prime Minister Sergei Shamba on Tuesday.
“An open and democratic election will indicate the republic’s health and development. We, in Russia, are closely watching your republic and wish its development and support to local businessmen,” he said.
“The work of the League for Fair Election, which was established in 2004 and intensified its activity lately, will be useful,” Brod said.
“Any election, especially the presidential one, is an indicator of the level of democracy,” Shamba said. “We are constantly improving. There are serious improvement prerequisites in the election process in Abkhazia.”
“In the opinion of observers, we held the latest election in 2009 at a good level. It was said that the election was open, transparent, accessible and democratic,” Shamba said.
A group of citizens nominated Shamba for president in the election of August 26. Deputy head of the State Committee and Sports Shamil Adzinba will be a candidate for vice-president.
There are two other presidential candidates, i.e. incumbent Vice-President Alexander Ankvab and opposition leader Raul Khadzhimba.