CEC: Elections Valid in Adjara

Acting Chairman of the Georgian Central Election Commission (CEC) Nonikashvili said at a news briefing that around 40% of voters cast ballot by 4 pm local time; ?hence elections can be considered as valid,? he added.

He said that the percentage is calculated from the number of voters, which have undergone registration ? 108,000. The number of voters might increase as the registration is held on the elections day as well.

CEC chief also said, ?minor violations have been reported from some of the precincts, but not serious ones.?

?I think the election observers will report about violations tomorrow in details,? Nonikashvili added.

Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), non-governmental organization monitoring polls in Adjara, reported violations, mainly related to the presence of representatives ruling National Movement-Democrats parties and other officials at the polling stations.

Another election watchdog organization New Generation ? New Initiative also reported violations and complained that the local Supreme Election Commission of Adjara ignores calls for cooperation with the watchdog organizations.

Nine parties and one election bloc run for the seats in the Supreme Council. President Saakashvili?s supporter Victorious Adjara party is the frontrunner most likely to win the majority of seats in the Adjarian parliament.

Republican Party, which is in the opposition to the Adjarian interim government is the main contender to the Victorious Adjara.

Republican Party has already blamed authorities in ballot-rigging attempt. The Republican Party is in the coalition with the ruling National Movement-Democrats party in the Georgian Parliament, whoever decided to run for the Adjarian elections separately.

MP Davit Berdzenishvili, the leader of the Republican Party says that in case the government rigs ballot, the Republic Party will refuse to continue cooperation with the ruling party and go to the opposition.