Abkhaz CEC decides not to open polling station in Turkey for Abkhazia's presidential election

SUKHUM. Feb 14 (Interfax) - Abkhazia's Central Elections Commission (CEC) has scrapped its plans to open a polling station in Sakarya, Turkey, for Abkhaz citizens to vote in the republic's presidential election, the CEC press service said.

"The Central Elections Commission received an official letter from Abkhazia's permanent representative Abrakhim Avidzba saying that it is not possible to open the polling station in Turkey for voting in the Abkhaz presidential election scheduled for February 15, 2025," the press service said in a statement.

"On the basis of this letter, the CEC of Abkhazia adopted a decision on February 13 to close the polling station set up in the Turkish city of Sakarya (Adapazari) in the run-up to Abkhazia's presidential election and to dissolve this district election commission," it said.

In response to the opposition's request, the Abkhaz CEC earlier decided to open one polling station in Turkey's province that is home to the Abkhaz ethnic community.

Ankara also hindered the opening of a polling station in Turkish territory during Abkhazia's previous presidential election and the Abkhaz community's participation in that voting process in its territory, saying that Turkey does not recognize Abkhazia's sovereignty and sees it as part of Georgia.