Badra Gunba Wins Presidential Election with 54.73% of the Vote
Badra Gunba: Abkhazia’s Newly Elected President
SUKHUM / AQW’A — The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Abkhazia has announced that Badra Gunba has won the presidential runoff election, securing 54.73% of the vote. His opponent, Adgur Ardzinba, received 41.54%, according to preliminary results.
CEC Chairman Dmitry Marshan confirmed the outcome, stating:
"Badra Gunba received 54.73% of the vote, which amounts to 54,954 people. Based on the final count, he has been elected as the President of the Republic of Abkhazia."
Voter Turnout and Election Results
The second round of the presidential election took place on 1 March, following a first round on 15 February, in which both Gunba and Ardzinba emerged as the top candidates.
- Total voter turnout reached 70%, with 100,412 citizens casting their ballots.
- 2,065 voters selected the “Against All” option.
- The margin between the two candidates stood at approximately 14%.
According to Marshan, the election process proceeded without irregularities significant enough to impact the final results.
Ardzinba’s Camp Alleges Electoral Violations
Despite the CEC’s assurance of a smooth voting process, Adgur Ardzinba’s campaign headquarters issued a statement alleging widespread electoral violations across multiple regions.
The claims add to the already tense post-election atmosphere, as opposition figures continue to challenge the legitimacy of the results.
Gunba’s victory is widely seen as a continuation of former President Aslan Bzhania’s leadership, rather than a significant departure from the previous administration. Many observers view him as Bzhania’s political successor, with his presidency expected to follow a similar course in governance and policy.