TIG demands inquiry into election violations in Georgian Zugdidi

Georgian authorities should promptly investigate reports about the incidents during the election campaign in the city of Zugdidi, the "Transparency International Georgia" (TIG) has stated. The opposition believes that the so-called "thieves in law" are trying to influence the election outcomes in favour of the candidate from the ruling "Georgian Dream" Party. The latter has rejected the accusations, stating that opponents are trying to give a negative colour to the election of the Mayor of Zugdidi.

On May 14, Sandra Roelofs, the oppositional candidate for Zugdidi Mayor, told about an attack on her and a fight with the filming crew of the Georgian TV company.

The TIG, a non-governmental organization (NGO), has called on Georgian law enforcement bodies to investigate the facts of criminal pressure during the election campaign in Zugdidi and punish those guilty.

"Such incidents like the attack on Sandra Roelofs and information about possible bribing of voters, of course, undermine the democracy," Archil Todua, the TIG's regional coordinator in Zugdidi, has stated.

Opponents in Zugdidi are trying to impart a negative colour to the upcoming elections of the Mayor, because they know that the ruling party has a strong candidate, the "Sputnik-Georgia" quotes Zviad Dzidziguri, the Vice-Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, as saying.