Opposition parties sign memorandum on the protection of votes
By Khatia Bzhalava
Tuesday, August 25
30 opposition parties signed a memorandum on August 24th, according to which, representatives of the parties agree to protect their own as well as each-others votes during elections. The memorandum was signed at the labour party office and considering the preliminary information, the parties that did not participate in the current meeting will also join the declaration. According to the declaration, the headquarter responsible for the protection of the votes of the electors will be created.
As it was stated after the meeting, the parties will have a collective database, where the violations observed during the elections will be noted. Also, a common coordination mechanism will come into force, which will define how parties should react to possible violations.
The leaders of the opposition parties state that the declaration will be somewhat prevention of rigging the elections.
“We will protect not only ours but also the votes of every elector so that none of the votes will be stolen,” said Tina Bokuchava, a member of the United National Movement.
Another opposition party member David Bakradze stated:
“Up to 30 opposition parties, the majority, agree to protect each-others votes. This is a very powerful political signal about the unity of the opposition.”
The declaration reads that the opposition parties believe that it is their most important task to strengthen public trust and support towards elections. They plan to work in coordination in every region, including the ones where parties have nominated competing candidates. The declaration reads that the task of the parties is not to protect the votes of electors of individual political taste but to protect the transparency of the election process as well as the choice of every citizen.
Parties have agreed to jointly work in coordination with international observers to assure the legitimacy of the elections.
