The Sukhum Electoral Commission expressed outrage at voter bribery.

Candidates who try to attract votes by carrying out landscaping are breaking the law, the Sukhum Electoral Commission stated ahead of the municipal elections in Abkhazia.

The Sukhum Electoral Commission for Local Government Elections, in response to citizen appeals, today issued a statement "on the inadmissibility of actions aimed at bribing voters during the election campaign."

"The Commission has recorded instances of work being carried out in electoral districts, initiated by individual candidates and their supporters, under the guise of 'landscaping.' Such work includes, in particular: adding crushed stone, building gazebos, replacing street lighting, and other similar 'services' that bear the hallmarks of voter bribery. The Sukhum Electoral Commission explains that this activity can be regarded as a form of voter bribery, which is a direct violation of the law," the statement, published by "Aiashara."

The commission warned that if the violations are not stopped, those responsible could be held accountable under the law and the candidate's registration could be cancelled by the election commission.

Activist Tengiz Dzhopua called such actions by candidates during the election campaign a manifestation of corruption. "A corrupt state is when the election of a deputy is accompanied by candidates providing benefits to the population in the form of work, services, or material assets (money, food, etc.) in order to gain votes. A corrupt society is when voters consider this a normal election process, encourage it, and participate in it," the agency published his words on October 31.

A total of 287 people have been nominated as candidates for deputies of the Sukhum City Assembly and seven district assemblies. Forty-one candidates are vying for 19 seats in the Sukhum Assembly. In three districts (Nos. 4, 18, and 19), one candidate is running. In 11 districts, there are two candidates each. In four districts, there are three candidates each. In district No. 11, four candidates are vying for one deputy seat. Elections to local government bodies in Abkhazia will be held on November 8, Apsnypress reported.