SUKHUM, August 27 (Itar-Tass) —— Abkhazia showed that the independent republic can hold the elections, which meet international standards, President-Elect Alexander Ankvab said on Saturday.
“The expectations of Abkhazian citizens came true, as they primarily intended to show to the world that Abkhazia can hold the elections, which meet international standards,” he noted. The Abkhazian presidential elections showed that the voting “can be held in an absolutely calm situation,” Ankvab noted. The elections were “well organized and transparent with Abkhazian legislation observed,” Ankvab added.
“The election struggle was tense with some discrepancies. We are inclined to do the constructive work,” he noted.
According to the preliminary results, which Chairman of the Abkhazian Central Elections Commission Batal Tabagua made public on Saturday, Alexander Ankvab was elected as president of the Republic of Abkhazia already in the first round. He gained 54.86% of votes. His main rival Sergei Shamba polled 21.04% of votes. Raul Khadzhimba got 19.83%. The turnout has made 71.92%.