Dec 30, 2001

Abkhaz parliamentary elections postponed


Abkhazia’s parliamentary elections, scheduled for 24 November 2001, has been cancelled and
postponed until March 2, 2002.

According to the Russian newspaper RIA Novosti, President Vladislav Ardzinba of Abkhazia made this decision because of the instable political situation in the region.
During October 2001, a group of Chechens and Georgians invaded the Abkhazian territory.
After the attack, parliamentary candidates were forced to end their election campaigns and to call for the defence of Abkhaz territory. The situation has stabilised in recent months and parliamentary elections are to be held on March 2, 2002, in order to give candidates time for renewed campaigning among voters.

Source: http://www.pravda.ru/ and RIA Novosti