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Despite pressure voters won in Kutaisi

October 4, 2012

Shorena Kakabadze, Kutaisi

Bribery of voters, transporting people to polling stations, threatening people: “Do not dare to sign 41 or you will regret!” shortage of ballots and inconvenient conditions in polling stations in general – despite all that unprecedented number of voters participated in the parliamentary elections on October 1 in Kutaisi.

Georgian Dream won elections in Kutaisi though locals complained about oppression both during pre-election period and on the Election Day.
 
“Of course, it is pressure. People come to the polling stations with the National Movement’s booklets. Their coordinators categorically demand people to circle National Movement’s number. There are quarrels in the streets and in polling stations. Supporters of the National Movement must understand that this country no longer belongs to Vano [Merabishvili]. This is our children’s country and we won’t allow them to steal their future,” this pathos of voters remained in the past. Georgian Dream’s majoritarian candidate, who won elections with 54.13 %, also talks about huge pressure.

“There was huge pressure from the Government. Despite that voters have won. I want to thank Kutaisi for supporting me and I ask them to stand in front of polling stations to protect votes. National Movement is ready to seize ballot boxes and replace them with other boxes. Some time ago unknown people called Gela Goshadze member of the coalition and threatened him with killing his family members,” Georgian Dream’s majoritarian candidate addressed to people in Kutaisi in the afternoon of October 1.

On September 1 Gela Goshadze was arrested on September 1. He was released soon after detention under bail of 3000 lari. Former police officer who has 20 years of working experience and was rewarded by MIA for good job has been accused of abusing his power.

“There are many similar facts. On September 26 Kutaisi city court postponed hearing of activists’ case for the fourth time; they were arrested under the charge of bribery of voters. Innocent children that were distributing information materials are still arrested. Not to mention beating facts as a result of which our supporters were placed in hospitals for several days,” representatives of the Georgian Dream’s Kutaisi office said who thanked their voters for the gained 58 % of votes.

“They were going everywhere, in every district, markets, salons, schools, hospitals and ordered people to vote for them. There were pressure and intimidation facts. They also distributed money: 20, 25 and 200 lari (according to the assigned tasks). In short, they did their best and continued hard work on October 1 too. They were bringing people with buses to polling stations. Other people, who came to PS on feet, were superficially suggested to circle number five,” said voters in Kutaisi.

According to the results of the Kutaisi DEC #59 most part of voters has voted for the Georgian Dream. National Movement got 35 % of votes. Their majoritarian candidate Giorgi Tevdoradze, who is also on the proportional list of the former ruling party, got 36 %.

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