Opposition Leaders Comment on MP By-Election Results

The opposition New Rights and Conservative parties condemned the October 1 MP by-elections as unfair, but hailed the cooperation which took place between the four opposition parties on the eve of the polls.

Four opposition parties – New Rights, Conservatives, Freedom and Labor Party – banded together and chose single candidates for each of the five single-mandate constituencies through primary elections. But the ruling National Movement party?s MP nominations won the elections in all five constituencies.

?These were shameful elections? There were cases of erasing registers voters form the lists, hence they were deprived of their right to vote? We have already filed a complaint to the district election commission regarding these cases in the Kobuleti constituency,? MP Koba Davitashvili, the leader of Conservative Party, told Civil Georgia on October 2.

But he said that these elections were useful experience, first of all, from the cooperation point of view. ?We [four opposition parties] are now co-fighters and plan to continue this cooperation. This cooperation will further develop for the upcoming local elections [next year].? Koba Davitashvili added.

?The authorities used all their administrative and financial resources in order to prevent victory for even one opposition candidate,? MP Pikria Chikhradze, one of the leaders of the New Rights party, told Civil Georgia on October 2.

?Violations were especially observed in Adjara [by-elections were held in Adjara?s three constituencies]. There were cases of intimidation, bribery and erasing [voters] from the voter lists,? she added.

MP Chikhradze also noted that these elections marked the launch of a very fruitfully cooperation, ?which I hope will continue.?

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)