Despite Abashidze’s Refusal to Boycott Elections, Opponents Remain Cautious

Adjara is till in the state of emergency.

In the wake of the Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze’s statement that the polling stations will be opened in the Autonomous Republic, Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Zurab Tchiaberashvili visited Batumi on December 29 to discuss technical issues of January 4 snap presidential elections.

Frontrunner presidential candidate Mikheil Saakashvili hailed Abashidze’s decision and said, “his [Abashidze’s] choice let us think that it is possible to deal with him, but not at the expense of Georgia’s interests.”

Zurab Zhvania, the State Minister left for Adjara on December 30 to hold talks with Aslan Abashidze to further discuss the election-related issues, as well as other problems between the central and local authorities.

The participation of the Adjarian population in the elections is very important for the central authorities, as they fear of low voter turnout on January 4 elections, and boycott of Adjara would further increase these fears. 

Mikheil Saakashvili and Zurab Zhvania urged the citizens on December 30 for high voter turnout. “Some one might think that Saakashvili will win the elections and there is not need in going to the polling stations. It is mistake. Do not think that we have already won the elections,” Mikheil Saakashvili said.