ABKHAZIA: PRESIDENTIAL POLL HAS VALIDITY TURNOUT

SUKHUMI, October 3 (RIA Novosti) - A presidential poll has been valid in Abkhazia, unrecognised republic in Georgia, Sergei Smyr, Central Election Commission head, said to a news conference. "A threshold, 50 per cent, turnout has been jumped over, on the republican average," he announced.

As the local law has it, a valid election demands a minimum 50 per cent of the franchised population plus one vote.

The turnout was impressive today-69 to 70 per cent in certain constituencies, stressed Mr. Smyr.

There are five running for presidency-Sergei Bagapsh, Director General of the government company Chernomorenergo; Anri Dzherghenia, once Prime Minister; Yakub Lakoba, Popular Party leader; Prime Minister Raul Khadzhimba; and Sergei Shamba, former Foreign Minister.

Abkhazia elects its president for a five-year term. More than a half of votes are enough to win. If no hopeful scores more than 50 per cent, the commission appoints a runoff for the two topmost candidates. The runoff is held within two weeks since the first poll.