Saakashvili Calls to Cancel Adjara, Kvemo Kartli Elections

Mikheil Saakashvili, leader of the National Movement demanded today to cancel election results in Adjara Autonomous Republic and Kvemo Kartli, the government-dominated province in southern Georgia.

“I set an ultimatum to the Central Election Commission [CEC] and the authorities not to recognize election results in Kvemo Kartli and Adjara, as most irregularities, violations and ballot fraud were reported from these regions,” Mikheil Saakashvili said this evening, while addressing up to 6 thousand protesters gathered in front of the CEC.

International observers, including the OSCE monitors, condemned irregularities in the election process in the regions, especially in Adjara Autonomous Republic and Kvemo Kartli. Observer access was hindered in these regions, while inflated turnout rates cast doubts on fairness of the elections.

Mikheil Saakashvili called on his supporters to suspend the rallies on November 6 and to gather in front of the CEC at 3:00 pm on November 7 when the decision on Adjara results is expected to be taken.

With more than two-third of votes counted, the CEC announced today that the pro-presidential bloc For New Georgia keeps the narrow lead with 24,7% of the votes, while National Movement is second with 22%.

Deadline for submitting of the election results from Adjara expires at 6:00 pm on November 6. Adjara ballot will add the numbers of officially registered 280,000 voters to the tally and would be decisive for shaping the final results of the November 2 parliamentary elections.