31 May 2004, 23:26
Abkhazian parliament passes law on presidential elections
The Abkhazian parliament has passed the Constitutional Law on the Elections of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia in the final reading. This law has been under discussion in the parliament for a long time. Under this law, "a citizen of the Republic of Abkhazia who is Abkhazian by nationality, has a good command of the state language, is not younger than 35 and not older than 65, is eligible, and have been living on the territory of the Republic of Abkhazia for at least last five years" can be elected president. The majority of the deputies voted for the five years' residential qualification.
The candidate for the Abkhazian presidency must have a good command of the state (Abkhazian) language. Under the law, the candidate for the post of president will have to undergo testing by a special commission, which will be created by the Central Election Commission.
A decision to declare elections invalid is made by the Central Election Commission. It may be appealed in the Supreme Court.
Author: Anzhela Kuchuberiya, CK correspondent Source: Caucasian Knot
