Thousands of Protesters Set an Ultimatum to Shevardnadze
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| Thousands chant “Resign”, addressing Shevardnadze |
Mass irregularities and ballot fraud during November 2 parliamentary elections sparked protests in Georgia.
“The Government must recognize victory of the opposition in the elections, otherwise tomorrow we will demand Shevardnadze’s resignation,” Mikheil Saakashvili, leader of the National Movement said, while addressing crowd of protesters.
“Our fight will be peaceful, but uncompromising,” Zurab Zhvania another leader of the opposition said.
“We will not accept the death of democracy in Georgia, we will not accept the Parliament that was appointed rather than elected, we will not accept stealing of the votes and we will not accept the ballot fraud,” Nino Burjanadze, the Parliamentary Chairperson and the opposition leaders said while addressing crowd gathered in front of Tbilisi Municipality.
The riot police and interior troops are on high alert from the morning on November 8. Security forces are guarding President’s administration and other facilities of strategic importance. All day long the main highways connecting western and eastern parts of Georgia with the capital city Tbilisi were blocked by the interior troops and the police.
The police were stopping all the buses en route to Tbilisi. The opposition says the authorities fear that the people living in the regions would join the protesters in Tbilisi. The authorities say they attempt to prevent possible penetration of armed persons.
One woman was injured after the police opened the fire in warning, when the crowd near Sagarejo, eastern Georgia, tried to break through the police barrier.
During his unscheduled televised address President Shevardnadze called the opposition and nation for calm.
“Maintaining stability is our prime goal. I am not afraid even if the people will come to Tbilisi from the regions and hold a rally. I am ready to meet each of them,” Eduard Shevardnadze said.
Despite the authorities’ fears that the protest rallies might grow into a large-scale destabilization in the country, there are no signs of unrest.
With about 90% of votes counted, the Revival Union, led by head of Adjara Autonomous Republic Aslan Abashidze and the President Shevardnadze’s election bloc For New Georgia lead the elections. The opposition National Movement is on the third place with 18,5%, followed by the Labor Party – 11,7% and the Burjanadze-Democrats – 7,6%. The Central Election Commission delays announcement of the final results of the elections.