Georgia's breakaway republic of Abkhazia holds presidential election

Moscow - Voters in Georgia's breakaway republic of Abkhazia headed to the polls Saturday for the first presidential election since the August 2008 war between Russia and Georgia over its control. The government of Georgia has called the election a provocation and said it would not accept the result. Georgia still claims Abkhazia and South Ossetia, another breakaway republic, as it won after losing a five-day war with Russia.

Election administrators were expecting a strong turnout just hours before polls opened amid heavy security. Around 130,000 voters are entitled to vote for one of five candidates.

Incumbent Sergei Bagapsh, who enjoys the support of Moscow, appeared confident he would win the election, saying the vote would determine not just the leader but the future direction of Abkhazia as a "sovereign republic," according to the Interfax news agency.

Observers say it's uncertain whether Bagapsh will win in the first round of voting. His opponents garnered support through criticism of the poor economic and social conditions in the republic, whose independence is recognized only by Russia, Venezuela, and Nicaragua.