The people of the Caucasus republic of Abkhazia have been voting for a new president, and it looks like the new leader has been chosen, though the results have not yet been officially confirmed.
Preliminary data shows Vice-President Aleksandr Ankvab has won more than 50 per cent of votes in the presidential election, beating the challenge of two rivals.
The early election was triggered by the sudden death of President Sergey Bagapsh in May after he underwent cancer treatment.
There is much at stake for Abkhazia’s new leader as the republic needs to rebuild following its long fight for independence from Georgia.
Russia recognized the country’s sovereignty in 2008, amid fears violence could break out in Abkhazia after Tbilisi’s attack on South Ossetia, a nearby Caucasus republic also regarded by Georgia as part of its territory.