What do Georgian’s expect from the 2014 municipal elections?

Unemployment, social poverty and restoring Tbilisi’s old and damaged districts are the top three issues locals want solved by the new city Mayor, who will be elected in today’s self-government elections.

People around the country are taking part in the municipal elections 2014 in Georgia today. The elections are being embraced in some regions where voter turnout is high – Racha-Lechkhumi 47 percent and Guria 41 percent. But in Tbilisi, voter turnout is low.

Latest data revealed at 3pm by the Central Election Commission (CEC) stated only 24 percent of eligible Tbilisi voters had cast their ballot – this was the lowest voter turnout of the whole country.

A voter made his choice at the municipal elections 2014. Photo by N.Alavidze. 

On the streets of Tbilisi, locals told Agenda.ge what they hoped would change when the city’s new leader was elected.

I expect more positive changes for our city. A candidate for whom I voted should present a detailed long-term strategy of city planning [and] he/she should create more green places for the city because it’s impossible to breathe in the city,” said Tbilisi resident Vakhtang Kobaladze after he cast his vote.

At a polling station, Agenda.ge noticed most people who were voting today were middle aged or senior citizens.

Polling booth before the Sun. Photo by N.Alavidze

A pensioner, who did not want to be named, said many people in her age group would vote for high retirement income and added social security.

I vote for better life condition for retirees. A new Mayor should take care to increase retirement income because the current one is not even equal to minimum wage. Public transport and transport fees also must be solved,” the 79-year-old said.

Locals living in Italian-style courtyards in Tbilisi’s old districts hoped a new Mayor would make the effort to renovate old, damaged housing, which were dangerous for inhabitants.

I am living an old part of Tbilisi. This is a historical part of the city but is damaged and needs to be saved. I believe the candidate whom I have voted for will renovate old houses and improve infrastructure by preserving the old appearance,” said a 60-year-old woman who only wanted to be identified by her first name, Larisa.

There are 3,429,748 Georgian voters eligible to have their say in the 2014 municipal elections.

Seventy-one local self-government bodies - Sakrebulos (elected representative local councils) and 2,088 members of Sakrebulo, 12 city Mayors and 59 heads of local municipalities - Gamgebelis – will be elected today.

There is less than two hours until voting closes at 8pm.