Staying in Sukhum: Abkhazia's president was not elected the first time around

None of the candidates for the presidency of Abkhazia gained the necessary number of votes to win - soon the republic will face a second round of elections of the head of the republic. This time it will involve former acting president Badra Gunba, who received 46.38% of votes, and former Minister of Economy Adgur Ardzinba, who received 36.92%. A runoff vote is expected to take place on March 1. Turnout in the first round, according to preliminary data, amounted to 68.62% - almost 99 thousand people came to the polling stations. Residents of the Abkhazian capital Sukhum told Izvestia that the best result of the elections for them would be stability in the country. At the same time, regardless of the voting results, Russia will remain Abkhazia's main partner, experts believe. How the main election day went - in the material of "Izvestia".

Election results in Abkhazia

In Abkhazia there will be a second vote in the presidential election, as on February 15, none of the candidates did not get the required number of votes, confirmed the chairman of the Central Election Commission Dmitry Marshan. Preliminarily, the second round will be held on March 1, as according to Abkhazian legislation it will be held no later than two weeks from the day of voting in the general elections.

Two candidates will take part in it: Abkhazian politician Badra Gunba (formerly acting president), who has a preliminary 46.38% of votes, and former Minister of Economy Adgur Ardzinba with 36.92% of votes. Other candidates received much less: former chairman of the Chamber of Control of Abkhazia Robert Arshba got 7.54% of votes, former trade representative of Abkhazia in Russia Oleg Bartsits - 4.04%, chairman of the board of the Black Sea Development Bank Adgur Hurkhumal - 0.97%.

The candidate who has collected 50% and one vote of the total number of those who filled in the ballots is considered the winner. Thus, based on the results, the CEC will organize a re-vote for the two contestants with the highest result. The final results will be announced three days after the elections.

On the territory of Abkhazia 152 polling stations were opened in 35 districts. There were also two polling stations abroad: in Moscow and Cherkessk. It was planned to organize a polling station in the Turkish city of Sakarya, but on February 13th the Abkhazian CEC decided to close it.

According to preliminary data, turnout at the elections on the territory of the republic amounted to 68.62%. 98,790 people cast their votes at domestic and foreign polling stations - approximately the same figures have been maintained here for the last decade. There were many people willing to take part in the procedure in Russia: 1,900 people voted in Cherkessk and 2,591 in Moscow, which was a record high. The previous maximum - 1,035 voters - was recorded 15 years ago.

The interest of citizens is also evidenced by the fact that residents without propiska were standing in line at the Central Election Commission the day before to receive a special certificate to be attached to a polling station.

More than 100 international observers from 33 recognized or partially recognized countries of Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America came to observe the elections.

- The voting process is transparent and open. It was a surprise for us, because we are told about a slightly different picture. But we don't see any pressure on voters," Salvatore Cittadino, an observer from Italy, told Izvestia.

It should be emphasized that earlier the CEC reported that the Russian side decided not to send its representatives to observe the elections in Abkhazia, as Sukhum did not promptly receive an official response on the list of representatives ready to participate in the process. Later, the Abkhazian CEC reported that they expect the arrival of international electoral experts from the Russian Federation in case of the second round of presidential elections. Nevertheless, at the invitation of the parliament of the republic Sergei Baburin, a deputy of several convocations of the State Duma, came to Abkhazia to observe the elections.

The Prosecutor General's Office did not receive any reports of violation of voters' rights during the voting, the Prosecutor General's Office said.

Situation in Sukhum

Polling stations in Sukhum opened at 8:00 local time (the same as Moscow time). They were located in the buildings of schools, colleges and hospitals. It should be noted that election day is a real holiday for local residents. In the capital from the very morning there were unusually many cars on the roads, and the central streets were too crowded for Saturday morning. Even before the opening, residents began to gather at the polling station and congratulate each other.

- Why did you come so early to vote?" I asked an elderly man.

- I always come early. Every time I vote. We have more and more people taking part in such processes every time. We often have elections, everyone comes to vote, everyone wants stability," he replied.

Candidates' biographies were posted at all polling stations. They necessarily indicated if the candidate was a participant of the war in Abkhazia, which is considered a particularly important topic for residents of the republic. There are still many traces of those events in the streets of Sukhum - for example, unreconstructed buildings.

It is worth noting that the situation at the polling stations in Sukhum was calm, but it seems that security measures were increased in the city anyway. Police officers were on duty near the polling stations, and the road leading to the republican Central Election Commission was blocked.

Abkhazia's relations with Russia

Residents of Sukhum, interviewed by Izvestia, consistently emphasized a positive attitude towards the Russian Federation and its citizens.

- We always have a lot of tourists, friends from Russia. There are never any problems. The tourist season is important to us, it brings in a lot of money," says a local resident.

The Republic has already started preparing for the season. On February 7, Sukhumi airport received the first test flight from Moscow for the last more than 30 years. And in May it is expected to open a full-fledged regular communication between Russia and Abkhazia.

The issue of reconstruction of the airport and increase of tourist flow to the republic was discussed during the visit to Abkhazia of the Russian delegation headed by the first deputy head of the presidential administration Sergei Kirienko. Abkhazia is one of the most popular foreign destinations in Russia. In 2024, about 1.5 million Russian tourists will visit the republic, in 2023 - 1.4 million. Moscow allocated 10 billion rubles to repair the Adler checkpoint on the border between Russia and Abkhazia - as a result, the capacity of the checkpoint should increase 9.5 times for vehicles and almost three times for those who cross the border on foot.

The parties then also discussed a number of humanitarian initiatives, in particular the allocation of additional 200 million for the completion of the children's hospital in Sukhum. In February it became known that the Russian Federation allocated 343 million rubles to Abkhazia to pay salaries to doctors, teachers and law enforcement officers. In addition, Abkhazian schoolchildren are now participating in a large-scale medical examination, which is conducted by Russian doctors. The action will last until the end of May 2025.

On February 5, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov discussed with Badra Gunba financial assistance to the republic. In addition, Moscow is currently helping Abkhazia to cope with energy deficit. From November to April the republic annually lacks electricity due to outdated networks and lack of its own capacity. The key source is the Inguri hydroelectric power plant on the border with Georgia. In December, due to critical water levels, the daytime electricity supply time was reduced to 2 hours and 48 minutes. Now there is electricity around the clock during the time, although fanning blackouts may be introduced later, locals say.

- We pay 900 rubles a year for electricity. I think it's very cheap," a local resident tells Izvestia.

Cooperation between Moscow and Sukhum after the elections will remain at the same level regardless of the results, experts are sure.

- Under conditions when there is no obvious superiority of any one candidate, relations between Sukhum and Moscow will develop according to the scenario that was formed in previous years," believes Nikolai Silaev, senior researcher at the Center for Caucasus and Regional Security Problems of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO).

There were no statements against Russia in the programs of the candidates, which also indicates that Moscow remains Sukhum's main partner, says Vadim Mukhanov, head of the Caucasus sector of the IMEMO RAS.

Russia also intends to further develop relations with Abkhazia, which will contribute to mutual growth of economies and trade turnover. Last year, for example, the republic's GDP grew by 8%. As Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted at a meeting with Badra Gunba on February 6, the potential that lies in the ties between the two countries - especially in the energy and tourism sectors - is bound to lead to further growth of the economy, and to the solution of social problems and improvement of the welfare of citizens.