title: Central Election Commission of Abkhazia
text: # Central Election Commission of Abkhazia
  
  The Central Election Commission of Abkhazia is the body responsible for conducting national elections and overseeing local elections in Abkhazia. It was first formed on 20 July 1991.
  
  ## Chairmen
  
  The first chairman of the Central Election Commission was Viacheslav Tsugba, who held the post until he became Prime Minister in 1999.
  
  On 11 October 2004, Sergei Smyr resigned during the height of the crisis following the Presidential election earlier that month. On 14 December, the newly formed Central Election Commission elected former Justice Minister Batal Tabagua as its chairman.
  
  In 2016, Tabagua was not re-appointed to the Central Election Commission, and on 23 December, former State Privatisation Committee Chairman Tamaz Gogia was elected his successor during the first meeting of the CEC in its new composition.
  
  | # | Name | From | Until | President | Comments |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | 1 | Viacheslav Tsugba | 20 July 1991 | 1999 | none | _ |
  | 1 | Viacheslav Tsugba | 20 July 1991 | 1999 | Vladislav Ardzinba | _ |
  | 2 | Sergei Smyr | 1999 | 11 October 2004 | Vladislav Ardzinba | _ |
  | 3 | Batal Tabagua | 14 December 2004 | 23 December 2016 | Vladislav Ardzinba | _ |
  | 3 | Batal Tabagua | 14 December 2004 | 23 December 2016 | Sergei Bagapsh | _ |
  | 3 | Batal Tabagua | 14 December 2004 | 23 December 2016 | Alexander Ankvab | _ |
  | 3 | Batal Tabagua | 14 December 2004 | 23 December 2016 | Raul Khajimba | _ |
  | 4 | Tamaz Gogia | 23 December 2016 | Present | Raul Khajimba | _ |
  