All three candidates running for the breakaway Abkhazia's presidency in August 26 election have passed exam in the Abkhaz language, Abkhaz news agency, Apsnipress, reported on July 20.

A candidate willing to run for presidency should be fluent in the Abkhaz language, according to the breakaway region's election code.

Acting president of the breakaway region Alexander Ankvab; PM Sergey Shamba and former vice president Raul Khajimba were interviewed by a seven-member commission of Abkhaz linguists.

Alexander Ankvab wanted to run in the 2004 presidential election, but was not registered as a candidate after he refused to pass exam in the Abkhaz language; another reason was his failure to meet residency requirements; he subsequently backed in those elections Sergey Bagapsh.