SUKHUM, November 14. /TASS/. Abkhazian President Aslan Bzhania refuted reports about the possibility of holding a presidential election in the country before the period established by the law.

The country’s opposition said the election may take place in January 2024, a few months earlier than the incumbent leader’s term is due to expire .

"The election will take place within the timeframe established by the constitution. It stipulates a 60-day period, as well as the date when the election should begin and the date when it should be over. The election will take place within these timeframes, no earlier and no later," he told Abaza TV.

Bzhania won the March 22, 2020 election with 56.5% of the vote. He was sworn in on April 23, 2020.

In line with the constitution of Abkhazia, the parliament is to set the election date "no later than four months before the presidential term expires." The elections are to be held "no earlier than three months and no later than two months" before the said date.