Elections, No Result, Only Low Expectations

Shorena Kakabadze, Kutaisi

Eight single mandate candidates (majoratarian) are standing off in Kutaisi for the parliamentary elections for May 21, 2008. They want to meet as many locals as possible as part of their pre-election campaigns. Candidates are visiting with voters in the street, yards, residential buildings and people hear one and the same slogan “We Must Restore Kutaizi to its Past Function”. Members of the National Movement, United Opposition, Labor Party, Republic Party and other bloc-parties are all giving much thought to their pre-election promises that have been the same now for fifteen years, (will they remain clueless as how Kutaisi should regain its past glory).

What do people think? How will parliamentary elections be carried out under the observation of 21 international and scores of observer organizations? What do they expect from elections? Do they trust the candidates, Central Election Commission, CEC, and do they believe that something will be changed as a result? The Human Rights Center’s Kutaisi office asked these questions to the residents of Kutaisi.

80 out of a total of 100 interviewed respondents thought hat elections will not change anything.

Manana Gogishvili, forty-four-year-old teacher: “I think the elections will be a hotly debated race for offices. Candidates will do their best to win but whoever wins will immediately forget us. Maybe I should not be

Lili Iobidze, fifty-four-year-old shop-assistant: “Of course the elections will be rigged. As always the government will win again and people will lose. I keep my two diplomas of high schools on the shelves and I work as a saleswoman at the shop. That is what our government did to people like me, and I cannot expect worse than what is so far the situation. Government and most voters cannot understand that only fountains and play grounds cannot develop Georgia. I am very sorry for people because they are can be so easily deceived.

Suloko Chachanidze, sixty-seven-year-old retired person: “Who asks us how elections will be carried out? If we do not take part in the elections nothing will be changed. Our voice will be used to support Saakashvili’s party. As for candidates, I trust opposition candidates and it makes no difference for me which one of them I will vote for. The only thing I want to see is parliament free from those scumbags that are there for now.”

Jemal Gogitidze, forty-year-old worker: “I am not going to the elections at all. I do not want and do not go either, as what difference will it make? My children will go and vote for opposition.

Nana Kufaradze, twenty-year-old student: “Much depends on international organizations. I hope they will react on election violations and will not behave in the same way as they did during the presidential elections. According to the preliminary data, the opposition is winning in Kutaisi. However, people are say that we will have loud and noisy week.”

Tamar Akhaladze, thirty-five-year-old homemaker: “Soon after the government announced Akaki Bobokhidze to be their candidate the first assessments were made. People claimed that this man will do everything to rig the elections in Kutaisi. He did not have very good reputation when he worked as a regional governor and people remember his deeds very well. Opposition has a  real chance if the elections are fairly carried out.”