Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

Representatives of the non-parliamentary opposition of Georgia issued a joint statement on July 18, which states about the deterioration of the electoral environment on the eve of presidential elections to be held on October 27, 2013.

The statement was signed by the Nouvelle Droite, Democratic Movement - United Georgia, Free Georgia, Georgian Labour Party, Kartuli Dasi and the Christian-Democratic Movement.

"In terms, while the opposition was preparing for the second phase of negotiations, the statement was made on July 15 by a representative of the Georgian Dream and the head of the splinter group of parliament without any prior consultation that the authorities have refused to carry out agreed changes with the opposition. In parallel, there are warning alarms in terms of deterioration of the electoral environment - withdrawal of people out of electoral list by cancelling their place of registration, mobilization of administrative and police resources, strict control of the polarization of the electoral administration and media," statement reads.

The opposition urges that there are no prerequisites for free and fair elections in October 2013 and legitimacy of results is a concern.

"In order to improve this situation, we call upon the Georgian authorities to initiate and timely adopt the agreed draft legislation in parliament, to immediately resume the dialogue with the opposition parties and civil society for democratic reform of the electoral environment, and to take into account European standards for free and fair elections in the reform process (so-called Copenhagen criteria)," the statement reads.

Otherwise, it will be "impossible to hold free and fair elections what will bring a new political crisis in the country, the non-parliamentary opposition believes.

The 2013 presidential election in Georgia is scheduled for October. This will be the 6th presidential election after the country's declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The last one, held on January 5, 2008, resulted in the election of Mikheil Saakashvili for his second and final presidential term.

Georgia's Central Election Commission has already registered the first eighteen candidates for presidency. These seven candidates are Mikheil Saluashvili, Tariel Khvedelidze, Nestan Kirtadze, Giorgi Gakhokia, Shalva Natelashvili, Mamuka Chokhonelidze, Nikoloz Gorgijanidze, Giorgi Targamadze, Sergo Javakhidze, Giorgi Chikhladze, Merab Gorgadze, Giorgi Liluashvili, Gia Chkhikvadze, Levan Chachua, Merab Suliashvili, Besik Adamia, Avtandil Margiani and Avtandil Pilauri.