SUKHUM, March 26. /TASS/. The second round of the parliamentary elections in Abkhazia began on Sunday throughout the country, where 96 polling stations opened at 22 constituencies, the republic’s Central Election Commission told TASS.

"Observers are working at all the stations," the Commission said, adding the elections would be valid in case of any turnout, and the winners need to gain most support from the voters. At least 25% of legible electors should participate in this round.

At the previous round, held on March 12, MPs were elected to Abkhazia’s parliament in 12 constituencies, 22 constituencies now hold a second round and one will have a repeat election, head of the republic’s Central Election Commission Tamaz Gogia said then.

The first round of the elections to Abkhazia’s sixth parliament had the voter turnout exceeding 50% or above the 25% threshold in all 35 constituencies. The polls were declared valid.

The term of the current parliament expires in March. Elections were held in one-seat constituencies, with 137 candidates struggling for 35 seats in the parliament, including 24 from four political parties and 113 from initiative groups. About 40 observers monitored the vote in Abkhazia, including from the CEC of Russia and South Ossetia, the State Duma (lower house) and the Federation Council (upper house).