CEC Registers Two New Presidential Candidates for 2025 Election
Adgur Ardzinba and Oleg Bartsits registered as presidential candidates by Abkhazia's CEC.
SUKHUM / AQW’A — The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Abkhazia has recently registered initiative groups for two additional presidential candidates: Adgur Ardzinba and Oleg Bartsits. These registrations come as preparations intensify for the early presidential election scheduled for 15 February 2025.
Adgur Ardzinba, leader of the Republican Public Organisation "Abkhaz People's Movement" and a former Minister of Economy, was officially registered as a presidential candidate. His initiative group, led by former Member of Parliament Leonid Chamagua, consists of 26 members. The group has received registration certificates and signature sheets, with a requirement to collect between 2,000 and 2,500 voter signatures to validate the nomination.
Adgur Ardzinba
Oleg Bartsits, a prominent diplomat and experienced public servant, has also been registered as a candidate. His initiative group is chaired by Oleg Arshba. Bartsits, who previously ran as a vice-presidential candidate in 2019, brings extensive political and administrative experience, including roles in international representation and investment policy for Abkhazia.
Oleg Bartsits
Oleg Bartsits, born on 7 January 1967 in Gudauta, is a seasoned diplomat and prominent Abkhazian political figure. He graduated from Moscow State University in 1993 with a degree in political science and later completed studies at the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1996.
Bartsits has held key roles in diplomacy and public service, including Deputy Director of the Institute of Industrial Development (2002), Abkhaz Government Representative for Investment Policy in Russia (2005), and Abkhazia’s Trade Representative to Russia (2010–2024). He has also contributed to cultural diplomacy as Chairman of the International Cultural and Business Centre of Abkhazia since 2014 and as a member of the Supreme Council of the World Abkhaz-Abaza Congress since 2018.
In 2019, Bartsits ran as a vice-presidential candidate with Oleg Arshba. While the bid was unsuccessful, his diplomatic expertise and pragmatic leadership continue to make him a key figure in Abkhazian politics, focusing on economic and cultural ties with international partners.
Current Status of the Election
With these recent registrations, there are now three officially recognised presidential candidates: Adgur Ardzinba, Oleg Bartsits, and Badra Gunba, whose candidacy was registered on 17 December.
In addition to the candidates registered via initiative groups, the People’s Party of Abkhazia is expected to nominate its candidate during a congress scheduled for 26 December.
The nomination period for candidates concludes on 6 January 2025. All registered candidates must secure the required number of voter signatures to confirm their participation in the election. The early presidential election will take place on 15 February 2025, marking a critical moment for Abkhazia’s political landscape.