Candidate Badra Gunba received 46.38% of the votes according to the preliminary results of the first round of the presidential elections in Abkhazia, while his main opponent Adgur Ardzinba received 36.92%. This was announced by the Chairman of the Central Election Commission of the Republic Dmitry Marchan at a briefing at the international press center.
Ardzinba won 36.92%, Arshba - 7.53%, Bartsits - 4.04%, Gunba - 46.38%, Kurmal won almost 1%.
In accordance with the current legislation in Abkhazia, if more than two candidates for president are included in the ballot and none of them is elected, the Central Election Commission appoints a re-vote for the two candidates who received the largest number of votes.
The candidates have already commented on the first round of the elections. Addressing his supporters at the central headquarters, Gunba noted that the election campaign was not easy, but was conducted with respect for opponents, and called the preliminary results of the vote an excellent result for his team and a credit to his supporters. According to him, serious work lies ahead in the two weeks before the second round, after which he expects a result that will satisfy his team. Gunba also expressed hope that the three candidates eliminated in the first round will be useful to the country.
Ardzinba, addressing his supporters, congratulated his headquarters on the preliminary results of the first round, noted the will to win demonstrated by his supporters, and said that he was proud of the people of Abkhazia.
Arshba noted that the election campaign was conducted honestly and openly. Addressing his supporters, he added that he did not plan to abandon the positions he had expressed and would continue to maintain this course. He also said that he was not ready to support either of the two candidates who reached the second round of voting.