Prime Minister encourages participation in election runoff

Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili is calling on citizens to "embrace their civil obligation” and vote in the municipal elections runoffs on July 12.

Garibashvili released a special address earlier today claiming on July 12 Georgia had to pass "one more exam in democracy”.

"July 12 will be the date when Georgia, for the first time in its history, will hold a second round election. […] We should hold a free and transparent local self-government elections runoff and demonstrate democracy is developing irreversibly in Georgia,” Garibashvili said.

The leader assured Georgian citizens their votes would be protected and their free choice would be guaranteed.

"We do not have the right to relax hoping the elections will be held without our participation. Today, we do not have the right to stay indifferent toward the ongoing events,” Garibashvili said.

He stated each vote mattered and each vote was deciding.

The Central Election Commission (CEC) announced the election runoffs date last night. On July 12, runoffs will be held in eight cities and 13 municipalities across Georgia.

The total vote turnout at June 15 elections was about 43 percent, which was assessed as "quite low” by local and international officials.