Batumi before Elections

Candidates from opposition parties encounter problems in organizing public meetings.

Maka Malakmadze, Batumi

Batumi has not been plastered with election posters yet. Only Teimuraz Charkviani, a single mandate candidate from the National Movement, has his posters in town. The advertisements of cigarettes were replaced with his posters on various billboards.

Most residents do not know who the candidates are: “I know Davit Berdzenishvili, Republican Party but I saw Charkviani on TV for the very first time. I want this government to be changed.  I am a retired person and I am trading in the street just to earn a living,” said Ramaz Seferteladze, a resident of Batumi.

Tinatin Pirtskhalaishvili: “I do not know any of candidates and I am not going to vote in the elections as it will not change anything.” Aleksandre Kantaria: “I heard Charkviani’s name on TV. I have not decided who I vote for; I will first learn about their election programs.”

None out of twenty interviewed respondents have checked his/her name on the election lists. However, half of them have not decided to take part in the elections; others are also not very supportive any particular candidates. 

Seven single-mandate candidates are taking part in the race  in Batumi. Temur Charkviani, a businessman from National Movement: Jumber Tavartkiladze from the United Opposition: Davit Robakidze from Labor Party, and a member of the Batumi Municipality Board; Davit Berdzenishvili an MP from Republic Party; Mailo Jashi, a businessperson from Industry-Save-Georgia; Niaz Zosidze, a journalist from Christian-Democrats; Shota Zoidze, a poet from “Georgian Politics”.

For now, candidates only from the ruling party and the United Opposition are active. They are holding daily meetings with potential voters. Almost every district has similar problems: water, gas and problems with the sewage system. Candidates are promising voters that they will resolve the problems if they are successful at the ballot box.  In official comments, locals have expressed their supports to each of them but in private talks people say: “they remember us only before elections. I do not hope that anybody will be there to assist us. Now they only need our votes and have come here for that purpose. They make lots of promises based on “if they win.” However, after victory they will soon forget us,” said a resident of Batumi after the meeting with one of the candidates.

Candidates from opposition parties have experienced problems when organizing public meetings. Several days ago, Jumber Tavartkiladze could not hold meeting at the Navy Academy. The candidate blames the academy administration for the failure and he was told that more time was needed to have notified the students. Davit Berdzenishvili was also refused permission by the administration of Batumi Public School #2 to hold meeting in their school. The school director explained the meeting would hamper with the educational process.