The elections had originally been scheduled for 24 November 2001, but had to be postponed due to the October 2001 Chechen incursion into the lower Kodori Valley.
[5] The Central Election Commission refused to register fourteen candidates on the ground that some of their collected signatures were supposedly forged, seven of which appealed the decision with the Supreme Court.
[9] Fourteen candidates withdrew in protest: Irina Agrba, Izida Chania, Iakub Lakoba, Dalila Pilia, Viktor Bartsyts, Vadim Smyr, Leonid Lakerbaia, Roman Geria, Zurab Otyrba, Appolon Shinkuba, Oleg Damenia, Valeri Bigvava, Gennadi Alamia and Natella Akaba.
[8][10] In addition, Vladimir Mukba withdrew for family reasons and Aiba Azaret in favour of Sergei Dbar.
The candidates included 45 Abkhazians, seven Russians, five Armenians, three Georgians, one Greek, one Kabardian and one Cherkessian.
[10][11][12] Ethnic Georgians displaced during the conflict were prevented from voting, whilst state radio and television supported pro-government candidates.
Voter lists contained people that had died or emigrated and double entries at two places of residence.