May 19 by-elections in Tbilisi and regions: appeals, demands, situation for now

Two days are left before the May 19 by elections in Tbilisi and the regions, when the public will elect one MP, five mayors and members of eight city councils across the country.

• Read more about the elections here.

Georgian Vice-Parliament Speaker Tamar Chugoshvili has appealed to the diplomatic corps and observers for the third time in the past two days to help the government prevent possible provocations in Zugdidi, in western Georgia, where the wife of the third president of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili, Sandra Roelofs is running for mayor.

We appeal to the diplomatic corps and observers for Zugdidi to be in focus,” Chugoshvili said.

Chugoshvili says that the UNM knows about its failure and they are staging provocations. Photo: Parliament's press office. 

Chugoshvili stated at a special briefing earlier today that the United National Movement (UNM) and its allied opposition parties have plans to send 5,000 activists in Zugdidi on Election Day, “to stir provocations and discredit the election process,” as they know about an “inevitable failure.”

It is very obvious for now that a tense situation may be created in Zugdidi,” Chugoshvili said, noting that the ruling party will meet the members of international organisations and embassies who observe the elections.

"They can prevent the escalation of the situation in Zugdidi and the meeting will be important in this regard,” Chugoshvili said.

Opposition says voters’ lists were “unlawfully handed out”

The UNM says that the Zugdidi District Election Commission had no right to hand out voters’ lists to polling stations five days before the elections.

They state that in doing so, the government wanted to influence the voters’ will as the lists include voters’ personal information and photos.

Opposition's rally in Zugdidi yesterday. Photo: netgazeti. 

The opposition parties are demanding the dismissal of the head of Zugdidi District Election Commission, who handed out the lists.

The opposition also demanded the detention of 'all five individuals' who attacked Roelofs and party supporters two days ago.

Roelofs urged the diplomatic corps to “protect the elections from being rigged.”

Central Election Commission says no violation took place

The CEC says that there are 107 polling stations in Zugdidi and they are being provided with election materials and inventory gradually.

The process goes on for several days, is very transparent and is in full line with the law. The process takes place during every elections in the country. As for the voters’ lists, they were supposed to have been handed over to polling stations no later than May 17, based on the law,” the CEC said.

However, “to avoid any speculations,” the CEC has made the decision to take the lists back to the district election commission, as well as seals.”

The CEC has also urged independent foreign and local observes to pay particular attention to the behavior of “certain parties in Zugdidi, who try to discredit the election administration and affect the election process.”

Ruling party MPs: peaceful elections are in our interests

The Georgian Dream ruling party MPs say that transparent and peaceful elections are in the interests of the current government and the goal will be achieved.

The opposition, especially the UNM, is engaged in provocative actions and is trying to discredit the election process. However, the government will once again pass the exam of democracy,” Anri Okhanashvili, head of Parliament’s Legal Issues Committee, said.

Fellow ruling party MP Tamar Khulordava said that “it is in the interest of the government everyone to have the possibility to vote peacefully in the elections”.

The opposition has chosen the way of provocations as it knows that they will lose the race,” Khulordava said.

MP Sopio Katsarava said that the ruling party is holding a peaceful election campaign, while the actions of the opposition are “obviously provocative.”

Interior Minister said that his body will do its utmost for peaceful elections. Photo: Interior Ministry press office.

NGO: no one must be given the chance to influence voters

The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association says that all political parties should have the chance to meet with voters in a peaceful environment.

No one must have the feeling that with the use of forcible methods they will be able to influence the voters’ will,” the NGO says.

The NGO stated today as May 19 is approaching, the situation is getting tensed.

Interior Ministry: everyone will be held accountable if they commit a crime

Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia Giorgi Gakharia said that everyone will be held accountable if they commit crime in the election process, no matter which party they belong to.

The police have already detained the individual who attacked UNM members in Zugdidi, shortly after the incident took place.

Gakharia said that he will consult with foreign partners and international observers to decide on how many policemen will be sent to different polling stations around Georgia during the May 19 by elections.