20:00, 14 December 2009

Russian leaders congratulate Bagapsh with his victory at presidential election in Abkhazia

President of the Russian Federation Dmitri Medvedev has congratulated Sergey Bagapsh on his re-election to the post of President of the Republic of Abkhazia. According to Mr Medvedev, "the Russian-Abkhazian relations have received a powerful impetus for development and reached a new level."

According to preliminary data of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC), the highest "crop of votes" at the December 12 presidential election in Abkhazia was gathered by Sergey Bagapsh - 59.37 percent. Ex-vice-president Raul Khadzhimba got 15.4 percent, Zaur Ardzinba - 10.6 percent, Chairman of the Party of Economic Development Beslan Butba - 7.9 percent, and Academician Vitaly Bganba - 1.5 percent. As a whole, the voter turnout made 73.4 percent.

Under the law, inauguration of Sergey Bagapsh should take place within a month after publication of the official results of the election.

Meanwhile, the oppositional candidate Raul Khadzhimba has stated that he will not recognize the election totals, since "there were gross violations in the course of voting."

Author: Anzhela Kuchuberia

Source: CK correspondent