The CEC Chairperson Calls on Voters to Actively Participate in Elections
Today, Giorgi Kalandarishvili, Chairperson of the Central Election Commission of Georgia held a conclusive news briefing.
“On October 30, the second round of municipal elections will be held. You will elect the mayors at 5 self-governing cities and 15 municipalities, and 42 majoritarian members at 24 election districts. I would like to call on the voters registered in those election districts wherein the second round of elections are being held to be active from 08:00 am, visit the election precincts, realize your constitutional right and participate in polling.
1830 election precincts are opened for the second round of elections, in addition, 8 election precincts created in exceptional cases will serve the voters, and 29 special polling stations which will serve the voters placed in intensive care units and isolation.
The total number of voters for the second round of elections constitutes 2 088 722.
On E-day, you will find the polling booths with a renewed design that has the cut from the front side, so that the secrecy of polling is ensured. We would like to remind you that voting is secret and photo-video shooting at the polling booth is prohibited. During the October 2 elections, redesigned ballot booths were used only in Tbilisi, and thereafter the CEC decided to utilize them at all election precincts for the second round of elections.
Similar to the October 2 elections, voting will be conducted by using electronic technologies at 31 election precincts of the N4 Krtsanisi election district.
By the CEC decision, the video recording of vote counting procedures will be conducted at all 1750 election precincts where the number of registered voters exceeds 300. Recounting of election results of randomly selected polling stations will be also recorded.
I would like to underline, that registration was prolonged for all observer and media organizations registered for the October 2 elections. Electoral stakeholders will monitor the October 30 elections with an increased number.
5 309 representatives of electoral subjects, 35 198 observers of local observer organizations, and 1 102 observers of 52 international observer organizations are registered for the second round of elections, and 3 711 representatives of 119 media organizations will cover the upcoming elections.
I will take this opportunity to call upon the election commissions at all levels not to spare any effort and to hold the second round of elections with high responsibility and professionally.
Well-conducted elections - are an indicator of the level of democracy in the country - in which all employees of the Election Administration, all election administrators, participate equally, and all their roles are equally important. Our team works diligently and will continue their work on E-day to ensure voters cast their votes in a safe and free election environment.
I would like to call upon the observers to monitor the election process accurately and evaluate the process and E-day objectively. I urge the media to cover the process widely, impartially, and in detail and deliver complete and objective election-related information to citizens. I would like to also appeal to the members of political parties to join us and together with election administrators and precinct election commission members support a peaceful election environment.
Please note that on October 30 you will find a COVID-safe environment. All COVID-19 regulations will be followed and you will have a possibility to cast vote in an electoral environment safe for your health”.