Sandra Roelofs Refuses to Participate in Election Run-off

ZUGDIDI, Georgia - Sandra Roelofs, Majoritarian Candidate of the opposition party United National Movement (UNM) in Zugdidi, Samedrelo region, and estranged wife of ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili, has announced that she will not participate in the October 30 second round of Georgia’s parliamentary elections.

Roelofs, 47, claims that the elections were unfair and falsified. She believes participation in the run-off of such elections is insulting.

The initial election results in several polling stations in Zugdidi were invalidated by the Central Election Commission (CEC) after violent incidents marred the voting process on October 8.

The repeat vote was held on October 22 and the results revealed that the ex-First Lady had gained the second highest number of votes after the candidate of the ruling party Georgian Dream (GD).

Roelofs thanked her voters for supporting her, however, noted that the government stole her supporters votes.

“Everyone knows that I won the first round, so it's insulting for me to take part in the second round of these unfair elections,” Roelofs stated, adding that the elections were falsified not only in Zugdidi but throughout Georgia.

Roelofs' decision was not approved of by the majority of UNM members, who claim it will be harmful to the party.

"Our party’s political board made a decision to participate in the second round. Therefore, Ms. Roelofs' decision is unacceptable and it damages the second round campaign,” said UNM member Givi Targamadze.

Other UNM majoritarian candidates will be taking part in the second round, saying they will not let GD party form a constitutional majority in parliament.

“The second round will be very difficult, however avoiding this battle is simply unacceptable,” UNM member Nika Melia said.

According to the CEC, if a candidate refuses to participate in the second round, his/her name still appears in the election ballots and people can still vote for them. If this candidate wins the second round, a by-election will be held to fill the vacant majoritarian seat in Parliament.

Ex-President Saakashvili, who currently serves as governor of Ukraine’s Odessa region, responded to the criticism of his wife, saying it was Sandra’s personal decision and her choice should be respected.

“I respect Sandra’s decision, as well as the decision of the other UNM candidates to fight in the run-off. I wish them luck,” Saakashvili’s Facebook post reads.

Ex-President expressed hope that more Georgian people would support the UNM in future.

By Thea Morrison

Photo: Sandra Roelofs. Source: radioazadlyg.org