2025 Abkhazian Presidential Election: Key Information & Process
The Road to Abkhazia’s Next President: Candidate Profiles and Key Facts
On 15 February 2025, Abkhazia will hold early presidential elections, with five candidates vying for the highest office alongside their running mates for vice president. This is perhaps the most important election in Abkhazia’s history, one that could significantly shape the country’s future.
The candidates for the presidency and their respective running mates are:
Badra Gunba (b. 1981), running with Beslan Bigvava (b. 1971)
Adgur Ardzinba (b. 1981), running with Alkhas Dzhindzhal (b. 1974)
Robert Arshba (b. 1974), running with Daut Agrba (b. 1978)
Oleg Bartsits (b. 1967), running with Adgur Kakoba (b. 1965)
Adgur Khurkhumal (b. 1982), running with Tengiz Kutelia (b. 1976)
Each of these candidates brings a distinct background in politics, economics, diplomacy, and public service.
Below, you will find detailed biographies of the presidential and vice-presidential candidates, outlining their professional experience, education, and key contributions to Abkhazia’s political and economic landscape.
Badra Gunba
Candidate for President of Abkhazia
Badra Gunba was born on 14 August 1981 in Sukhum, holds a PhD in Economics from Saratov State Agrarian University, where he specialised in Accounting and Auditing. His career spans financial and governmental roles, including serving as a legal adviser to the Cabinet of Ministers (2007–2009), Deputy Minister of Culture (2009–2011), and Minister of Culture (2011–2014). Between 2015 and 2020, he pursued private entrepreneurial ventures before being elected Vice President of Abkhazia in 2020.
Beslan Bigvava
Running as vice president alongside presidential candidate Badra Gunba.Beslan Bigvava was born on 28 July 1971 in Tquarchal and studied Automobiles and Automotive Engineering at East Ukrainian State University. He currently heads the Administration of the Ochamchira District. Over the years, he has been actively involved in administrative governance and regional development.
Adgur Ardzinba
Candidate for President of Abkhazia
Adgur Ardzinba was born on 26 December 1981 in Gudauta, is an economist with an academic background that includes a PhD from Volgograd State Technical University, as well as studies at the London School of Economics and the Russian Presidential Academy. His career began in academia, lecturing at Abkhazian State University and publishing multiple academic works. He later served as an adviser to the Abkhazian State Customs Committee before joining the Ministry of Economy, where he became Minister (2015–2019) and later Deputy Prime Minister (2019–2020). In 2020, he founded the Abkhazian People’s Movement, solidifying his position as a key opposition figure.
Alkhas Dzhindzhal
Running as vice president alongside presidential candidate Adgur Ardzinba.Alkhas Dzhindzhal was born on 6 October 1974 in Sukhum and is a surgeon and former parliamentarian. He graduated from Kabardino-Balkarian State University’s Faculty of Medicine and has worked at Sukhum City Clinical Hospital for many years, serving as Head of the Surgery Department. From 2017 to 2022, he was a Member of Parliament, leading the Committee on Social Policy, Labour, Healthcare, Demographics, and Veterans’ Affairs. His legislative contributions focused on healthcare and social welfare policies.
Robert Arshba
Candidate for President of Abkhazia
Robert Arshba was born on 22 March 1974 in Tquarchal and studied Accounting and Auditing at Abkhazian State University. His professional career has been dedicated to financial oversight and government administration. He held various positions in the Ministry of Finance before becoming Chairman of the Chamber of Control of Abkhazia (2013–2023), a role in which he supervised budgetary and financial regulations.
Daut Agrba
Running as vice president alongside presidential candidate Robert Arshba.Daut Agrba was born on 11 October 1978 in Gagra, has an educational background in Finance, Law, and Public Administration, with degrees from Abkhazian State University, Moscow State Open University, and the Russian Presidential Academy. He is a member of the Public Chamber of Abkhazia, contributing to financial and legal policy discussions.
Oleg Bartsits
Candidate for President of Abkhazia
Oleg Bartsits was born on 7 January 1967 in Gudauta, studied Political Science at Moscow State University and later specialised in International Relations at the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His career has been primarily in diplomacy and trade, serving as the Trade Representative of Abkhazia in Russia until 2024.
Adgur Kakoba
Running as vice president alongside presidential candidate Oleg Bartsits.Adgur Kakoba was born on 24 November 1965 in Atara, Ochamchira District, is a philologist and literary scholar. A graduate of Abkhazian State University, he has worked extensively in academia and cultural research, serving as Deputy Director of the Educational and Scientific Centre for Nart Studies and Field Folklore at Abkhazian State University.
Adgur Khurkhumal
Candidate for President of Abkhazia
Adgur Khurkhumal was born on 24 August 1982 in Tquarchal, holds a degree in Economics and Enterprise Management from Maykop State Technological University. He has built his career in banking and financial management and currently serves as Chairman of the Board at Black Sea Development Bank.
Tengiz Kutelia
Running as vice president alongside presidential candidate Adgur Khurkhumal.Tengiz Kutelia was born on 5 March 1971 in Tamysh, Ochamchira District, studied Agronomy at Stavropol State Agrarian University. He has served in the military, achieving the rank of Colonel before retiring.
Abkhazia’s 2025 Presidential Elections: Process and Key Information
Background and Context
The early presidential elections in Abkhazia, scheduled for Saturday, 15 February 2025, were called following the resignation of President Aslan Bzhania amid public protests. On 19 November 2024, the Abkhazian Parliament formally accepted his resignation, leading to the dissolution of the government, including the Prime Minister and the head of the State Security Service. In accordance with the constitution, the People's Assembly of Abkhazia set the date for the elections, ensuring the continuation of the democratic process.
Electoral System and Voter Eligibility
The presidential election in Abkhazia is conducted through direct voting. All Abkhazian citizens aged 18 and above have the right to vote. Participation in the election is entirely voluntary, and voters can cast their ballots at designated polling stations. The elections are overseen by the Central Election Commission (CEC) to ensure transparency and compliance with electoral regulations.
To secure a victory in the first round, a candidate must receive more than 50% of the votes cast. If no candidate meets this threshold, a second round (runoff election) will be held between the top two candidates. However, under Abkhazia’s electoral law, a candidate can only win the second round if they receive more votes than both their opponent and the combined total of votes cast for the "Against All Candidates" option.
Polling Stations and Voting Locations
According to CEC Chairman Dmitry Marshan, there will be 152 polling stations across Abkhazia, distributed as follows:
Sukhum – 9 electoral districts, 25 polling stations
Gagra District – 5 districts, 29 polling stations
Gudauta District – 7 districts, 31 polling stations
Sukhum District – 2 districts, 8 polling stations
Gulrypsh District – 3 districts, 16 polling stations
Ochamchira District – 6 districts, 33 polling stations
Tquarchal District – 2 districts, 8 polling stations
Gal District – 1 district, 2 polling stations
In addition to domestic voting, two polling stations will be set up in Russia, in Moscow and Cherkessk, to allow eligible Abkhazian citizens abroad to participate. There were initial plans to establish a polling station in Sakarya, Türkiye, where a large Abkhaz diaspora resides. However, due to pressure from Turkish authorities, it remains uncertain whether voting will take place there.
Election Day and Results
Voting will take place from 08:00 to 20:00 local time across all polling stations. As of 5 February 2025, approximately 135,000 people are registered on the main voter list. The Central Election Commission has encouraged voters to verify their registration and has provided mechanisms to add eligible individuals who may be missing from the lists.
Preliminary results are expected to be announced by 18 February 2025, following the official counting and verification process.
You can follow the elections live on Saturday through AbkhazWorld’s X (Twitter), Facebook, and Telegram accounts.
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