16:31, 16 April 2004

Second round of parliamentary elections in Adjaria frustrated

The second round of parliamentary elections will not be held in two districts of Adjaria, Georgia's autonomy, Chairman of the Georgian Central Election Commission Zurab Chiaberashvili told a press conference in Tbilisi.

"It seems impossible to me to hold the second round of parliamentary elections in the situation that has arisen in Adjaria, and all responsibility for the frustration of the elections lies with the Adjarian leadership and those people who create illegal armed units there," Mr Chiaberashvili said.

The head of the commission also said he had addressed a letter to Georgian Prosecutor Irakly Okruashvili asking him to investigate "the violations at polling stations in the course of the March 28 parliamentary elections" as well as "the expulsion of the chairman and members of the Central Election Commission from Adjaria."

Zurab Chiaberashvili urged the president of Georgia "to use all resources he has to restore constitutional order on the territory of Adjaria."

Editors note: See also the article "Access to Adjaria denied for Georgian Central Election Commission chairman", "Georgian Central Election Commission member forced out of Adjaria".

Source: RosBusinessConsulting News Agency