Central Election Commission of Abkhazia Opens Polling Station in Sakarya, Türkiye

SUKHUM / AQW’A —  The Central Election Commission of the Republic of Abkhazia has unanimously decided to establish a polling station in Adapazarı, the administrative centre of Sakarya Province in the Republic of Türkiye, for the upcoming presidential elections. This marks a notable shift, as past polling stations for Abkhaz elections in Türkiye were located in Istanbul, where operational challenges were encountered.

According to Dmitry Marshan, Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC), the decision to open the polling station in Sakarya was made to avoid "unnecessary attention from local authorities". The CEC consulted with Abkhazia’s official representative in Türkiye, Ibrahim Avidzba, before reaching this resolution. Marshan confirmed that polling stations would also operate in Moscow and Cherkessk, Russia, on 15 February. However, a request to establish a station in Kabardino-Balkaria was declined, leaving citizens in that region without local voting facilities.

The veterans' organisation ‘Aruaa’ criticised the decision, arguing that it disenfranchises over 1,500 eligible voters in Kabardino-Balkaria, many of whom are elderly and face difficulties travelling to Moscow or Cherkessk. The group has urged the Central Election Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to reconsider, warning that failure to ensure voting accessibility could undermine the legitimacy of the election results. 

Meanwhile, the CEC announced significant changes to election procedures, including the elimination of absentee ballots. According to Marshan, the move aims to prevent misuse, as previous elections saw voters using absentee ballots to cast multiple votes. Under the new rules, citizens must vote in their designated polling station based on their official registration. If their passport lacks a registered address, voters can apply to the CEC for documentation permitting them to vote at a specified location. Stamps will be placed in passports to confirm that an individual has voted.

Marshan also highlighted ongoing preparations to ensure smooth election operations. Local election commissions are being finalised, with any vacant positions filled to complete the five-year commission terms. Polling stations are being equipped with ballot boxes and voting booths, while ballot papers will be distributed the day before the election.

The early presidential elections, scheduled for 15 February, will feature five candidates:

1. Badra Gunba (b. 1981), running with Beslan Bigvava (b. 1971)

2. Adgur Ardzinba (b. 1982), running with Alkhas Dzhindzhal (b. 1974)

3. Robert Arshba (b. 1974), running with Daut Agrba (b. 1978)

4. Oleg Bartsits (b. 1967), running with Adgur Kakoba (b. 1965)

5. Adgur Khurkhumal (b. 1974), running with Tengiz Kutelia (b. 1976)

Adgur Khurkhumal, who serves as Chairman of the Black Sea Development Bank, was the latest candidate to be officially registered.