Abkhazia elections to have voter turnout 143,735 - CEC forecast.

SUKHUM, August 17 (Itar-Tass) - According to preliminary data of the
Central Election Commission (CEC), 143,735 voters will take part in the
Abkhazia presidential elections, CEC chairman Batal Tabagua said on
Tuesday.
According to him, 10 days before the election - on August 16 - the
lists of electorate were posted at all polling stations of Abkhazia.
Members of district election commissions come to every house in order to
specify and supplement them. CEC chairman called on all citizens to check
whether they are included in these lists.
"Nobody can say how many people of Abkhazia have got passports without
a residence permit, and therefore it is difficult to say how many people
will be put on the supplementary lists," he said.
CEC Chairman reported that many international observers will arrive in
Abkhazia.
During the week, CEC representatives will be addressing the electorate
on television and explain to the voters all the details concerning the
vote.
Since August 16, according to Tabagua, the CEC started to give the
citizens absentee ballots.
All district election commissions, in accordance with Article 16 of
the electoral law, were given a sample of an absentee ballot. "From today,
any citizen of Abkhazia who moves and on election day will not be at the
place of residence can receive an absentee ballots at the district where
he is registered. Also, from August 16 the Central Election Commission
issues certificates for voting to citizens with Abkhazian passports
without a residence permit," Tabagua specified.
The election of the Abkhazian president for the post of which three
candidates are running - Alexander Ankvab, Raul Khadzhimba and Sergei
Shamba - will be held on August 26. On this day Abkhazia will hold its
fifth Presidential election since the post of President of the Republic of
Abkhazia was created in 1994. The election will be held to elect the
successor of president Sergei Bagapsh who died in office on 29 May 2011.