Georgian Dream addresses observers:
“UNM plans to disrupt pre-election environment”

A member of the current ruling Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia (GDDG) party says opposition United National Movement (UNM) is planning to disrupt the peaceful pre-election environment by staging protests and provoking other parties.

Today GDDG party member Tamar Chugoshvili addressed local and international observers, in town to observe the October 8 Parliamentary Elections and its lead-up, to be aware of any instances that could violate the Election Code and disrupt the peace. 

UNM, which will lose the election and currently has no public support, sees its only chance and advantage in stirring provocations,” said Chugoshvili.

As far as I’m aware, UNM plans to stage provocations at our pre-election events, as well as using other measures to somehow cause disruption in the pre-election period, which has been running peacefully since June 8,” she added. 

UNM led the Government of Georgian from 2003 to 2012 before it was defeated by  the Georgian Dream coalition. 

Chugoshvili, who previously led local NGO Georgia’s Young Lawyers’ Association and also served as ex-Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili’s adviser in human rights issues, voiced a special appeal to local and international observers in town to monitor the upcoming race. 

I urge you to show particular attention to potential violations and instances that can somehow create obstacles for holding the elections in a peaceful environment,” Chugoshvili said. 

She addressed GDDG supporters to be calm and to not be provoked by anyone and reminded all political parties that it was in everyone’s best interests for the elections to be held in a peaceful environment.

On a final note Chugoshvili stressed despite all negative efforts, the current Government would manage to hold the most fair and transparent elections in the country’s modern history.