15 June 2014, 15:22
NGO "Human Rights Centre" announces low turnout in Pankisi Gorge
The districts of Georgia with compact residences of national minorities, including in the Pankisi Gorge, show low turnout at the elections to the local self-administration bodies of Georgia. This was reported by the NGO "Human Rights Centre".
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on Sunday, in the territory of Georgia, 3617 electoral precincts were opened. Besides, 20 special electoral precincts were opened for voting at the elections to local self-administration bodies. By 12:00 a.m., the turnout reached 16.65%. This was reported by the Georgian Central Election Commission (CEC).
The NGO "Human Rights Centre" monitors the elections in the Pankisi Gorge (Northern Georgia) and 28 villages of the regions of Kakheti (Eastern Georgia) and Imereti (Western Georgia).
According to the NGO "Human Rights Centre", in the villages populated by ethnic minorities, the level of civic education "is still low; and voters do not know their rights." In its statement, the NGO "Human Rights Centre" notes that the language barrier prevents contact between voters and members of election commissions.
Meanwhile, as of 12:00 a.m., the highest turnout has been recorded in the region of Racha-Lechkhumi, where 30.8% of the total number of voters came to electoral precincts to vote.
See aerlier reports: "In Georgia, pro-Russian NGOs intensify their activities; local experts explain that fact by Moscow's interference", "In Adzharia, Gurta villagers to boycott local government elections in protest against HPP construction", "Koba Khabazi, co-founder of the NGO "Free Zone", questioned by Investigative Service of Georgia's Ministry of Finance".
