Civil society leaders criticize pre-election situation in Ajaria

Yesterday, October 27, Georgian NGO representatives expressed their protest regarding the situation arisen in the Ajarian Autonomous Republic on the eve of the Georgian parliamentary elections scheduled for November 2.

"The authorities of the Ajarian Autonomous Republic have not submitted voter lists of its regions to the Georgian Central Election Commission yet. Thus no one has an opportunity to check the data, that triggers doubts over the fair elections in the region," Tina Khidasheli of the Georgian Young Lawyers Association said at a news briefing held at the Elections Media Center in Tbilisi on October 27.

Tina Khidasheli showed indignation at the passive role of the central authorities of Georgia and the Central Election Commission regarding the Autonomous Republic?s refusal to submit the voter lists.

Some of the civil society leaders also condemn the violence against opposition parties in Ajaria. They showed indignation at the dispersal of the National Movement protest rally in Batumi on October 23.