The Republic of Abkhazia has issued citizen passports to 99% (146 121 individuals) of its residents representing all the 85 ethnic groups living in the country. Among the individuals granted citizen status. 73 622 are reported to be Abkhazians, 17 795 - Russians, 12 156 - Georgians, 2 138 - Abazins and 1500 - Greeks.

Abkhazian authorities made the decision to enable all ethnic group's participation in votings. Under a recent amendment to Abkhazia's electoral legislation (dated October 7, 2009), only holders of Abkhazian passports have the right to participate in local elections. Presidential elections in Georgia's breakaway republic are scheduled for December 12, 2009, Analitika.at.ua reported.