Presidential candidate nominations start in Abkhazia: Election Commission

Presidential campaigns are starting in Abkhazia on Wednesday and will last until February, the self-proclaimed South Caucasus republic's Central Election Commission head Tamaz Gogia told Sputnik.

"The nomination of candidates for the post of President of Abkhazia started on January 22, applications will be accepted until February 11," Gogia said in the early hours of Wednesday, adding that a total of about $242,000 will be spent on the elections.

The presidential candidates will have to complete Abkhazian language tests in the above-mentioned period.

Gogia told Sputnik that both political parties and groups of voters have the right to nominate their presidential candidates in Abkhazia. In the case of voter groups, at least 2,000 but no more than 2,500 signatures have to be collected.

Earlier this month, Abkhazian lawmakers voted for the resignation of President Raul Khajimba and unanimously approved Prime Minister Bganba as acting president.

The upcoming presidential election in Abkhazia is scheduled for March 22.