League of Voters: "Georgian card" again played at presidential election in Abkhazia

In Abkhazia, the League of Voters "For Fair Elections" has published an interim report on results of observation over the election process of President of Abkhazia.

The League of Voters is monitoring the agitation campaign, starting from the date of registration of presidential candidates – Raul Khadjimba, Sergey Shamba and Alexander Ankvab.

According to the members of the League of Voters, the election process in 2011 in Abkhazia is different from the previous alternative presidential election – a certain step forward was made towards a more civilized election campaign. First of all, the point here is the importance of preparation and signing by all the three candidates of the agreement "For honest and clean election".

The League treats the numerous candidates' meetings with voters and joint press conferences, which was not practiced before, as positive aspects of the campaign.

Along with that, the League received a number of evidences from the election headquarters of presidential candidate Sergey Shamba of facts of evasion by heads of district and village administrations to help in arranging meetings with voters.

In their turn, the headquarters of candidate Alexander Ankvab noted the active participation of the head of the administration of the Gagra District in the campaign in favour of candidate Sergey Shamba.

"Unfortunately, this election could not escape another play of the 'Georgian card'. The disruptive effects of utilizing the 'Georgian factor' is obvious: the atmosphere of confrontation is created in the society, and the rational and constructive agenda of the candidates is undermined. The 'war of statements', which began after the appearance of Kitovani's interview, as well as regular anonymous 'leakages' into electronic media of blackmail materials against the candidates are aggravating the course of the election campaign," emphasizes the interim report of the League.