Radio Free never accepts money from corporations, governments or billionaires – keeping the focus on supporting independent media for people, not profits. Since 2010, Radio Free has supported the work of thousands of independent journalists, learn more about how your donation helps improve journalism for everyone.

Make a monthly donation of any amount to support independent media.





Abkhazia Pushes Forward With Presidential Vote Despite Coronavirus Anxiety

Voters in Abkhazia are going to the polls to choose a new leader for the breakaway Georgian region, as election organizers push forward despite anxiety over coronavirus.

The March 22 rerun vote is the latest effort to sort out the Black Sea region’s government, which has been in flux since a January Supreme Court ruling annulled the election victory of Raul Khajimba three months earlier.

That ruling sparked violent protests and ultimately led to Khajimba stepping down.

Three candidates were in the running: Vice President Adgur Ardzinba, opposition lawmaker Aslan Bzhania, and former Interior Minister Leonid Dzapshba.

The run-up to the vote was marked by intrigue when Bzhania suffered two mysterious illnesses, which some of his supporters alleged were caused by poisoning.

It was uncertain if the actual vote would take place at all due to fears of coronavirus infection. As of March 20, the region had not publicly reported any infections.

Election organizers said polling precincts were being equipped with medical masks and hand sanitizers.

Abkhazia declared independence from Georgia in 1992, which led to all-out war with Tbilisi.

After Russia and Georgia fought a brief war in August 2008, Moscow recognized Abkhazia as an independent state. But just a small handful of other countries have followed Russia’s lead.

With reporting by TASS
Print
Print Share Comment Cite Upload Translate Updates

Leave a Reply

APA

Radio Free | Radio Free (2020-03-22T07:48:04+00:00) Abkhazia Pushes Forward With Presidential Vote Despite Coronavirus Anxiety. Retrieved from https://www.radiofree.org/2020/03/22/abkhazia-pushes-forward-with-presidential-vote-despite-coronavirus-anxiety-2/

MLA
" » Abkhazia Pushes Forward With Presidential Vote Despite Coronavirus Anxiety." Radio Free | Radio Free - Sunday March 22, 2020, https://www.radiofree.org/2020/03/22/abkhazia-pushes-forward-with-presidential-vote-despite-coronavirus-anxiety-2/
HARVARD
Radio Free | Radio Free Sunday March 22, 2020 » Abkhazia Pushes Forward With Presidential Vote Despite Coronavirus Anxiety., viewed ,<https://www.radiofree.org/2020/03/22/abkhazia-pushes-forward-with-presidential-vote-despite-coronavirus-anxiety-2/>
VANCOUVER
Radio Free | Radio Free - » Abkhazia Pushes Forward With Presidential Vote Despite Coronavirus Anxiety. [Internet]. [Accessed ]. Available from: https://www.radiofree.org/2020/03/22/abkhazia-pushes-forward-with-presidential-vote-despite-coronavirus-anxiety-2/
CHICAGO
" » Abkhazia Pushes Forward With Presidential Vote Despite Coronavirus Anxiety." Radio Free | Radio Free - Accessed . https://www.radiofree.org/2020/03/22/abkhazia-pushes-forward-with-presidential-vote-despite-coronavirus-anxiety-2/
IEEE
" » Abkhazia Pushes Forward With Presidential Vote Despite Coronavirus Anxiety." Radio Free | Radio Free [Online]. Available: https://www.radiofree.org/2020/03/22/abkhazia-pushes-forward-with-presidential-vote-despite-coronavirus-anxiety-2/. [Accessed: ]
rf:citation
» Abkhazia Pushes Forward With Presidential Vote Despite Coronavirus Anxiety | Radio Free | Radio Free | https://www.radiofree.org/2020/03/22/abkhazia-pushes-forward-with-presidential-vote-despite-coronavirus-anxiety-2/ |

Please log in to upload a file.




There are no updates yet.
Click the Upload button above to add an update.

You must be logged in to translate posts. Please log in or register.