Politicians Comment on Elections

Opposition politicians have already voiced a number of complaints about the election process, mainly regarding the voter lists and the continuation of campaigning on election day. Officials from the ruling party admitted some minor irregularities, but said that in general the process is proceeding in accordance with the law.

An election block formed by the Republican and Conservative opposition parties argued that ruling party activists ?are exerting pressure? on voters rights at the entrances of some polling stations and campaigning in favor of the National Movement.

Republican leader Davit Usupashvili said at a news conference that there are ?huge problems? with the voter lists as well.

Salome Zourabichvili, leader of the Georgia?s Way party, who is running for the Tbilisi mayoral race, complained about President Saakashvili?s involvement in the ruling party?s campaign. Although the law does not ban executive authorities to campaign, this move is unfair by the President, she said.
 
Giga Bokeria an influential MP from the ruling National Movement party, said on October 5 that ?no serious violations? were reported so far.

?The election process should be calm like in any democratic state,? he said, adding that voter turnout seems to be high.
 
He said that the most serious violation so far was reported in the Zugdidi constituency where an election administration official denied an observer access to the polling station.
 
?I think that the Central Election Commission [CEC] should react to this issue,? Bokeria said.

CEC Chairman Guram Chalagashvili has already announced that the head of the precinct was sacked.

Meanwhile, all the leading politicians running in the elections have already cast their ballots.

There are five candidates competing for the Tbilisi mayoral position: incumbent Mayor Gigi Ugulava of the ruling party; ex-Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili of the Georgia?s Way; Shalva Natelashvili of the Labor Party; Gogi Topadze of the Industrialists Party; and Koba Davitashvili of the election bloc ?Davitashvili, Khidasheli, Berdzenishvili,? formed by the Republicans and Conservatives.

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