Elections 2016: Greater police presence on voting day

Georgia’s Minister of Internal Affairs Giorgi Mgebrishvili says the number of police officers roaming the streets will be "noticeably increased” on Election Day.

A greater police presence would ensure a calm and peaceful environment on October 8 when Georgia hosts its Parliamentary Elections.

"To avoid any misinterpretations later I want to explain that according to the latest legislative amendment, the number of police officers will be noticeably increased in streets but not at voting stations or near voting stations.”

Mgebrishvili added police would be patrolling "more actively” and reactions to election-related violations would be "strict”.

"Personally, myself and the entire Ministry will not tolerate any destabilisation. Any form of violation will be handled immediately,” Mgebrishvili said.

"We will use all levers given by legislation to avoid any kind of physical confrontation no matter who commits it.”

The Interior Ministry and Georgia’s Central Election Commission (CEC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining cooperation between the two agencies to ensure peaceful elections.

Earlier Mgebrishvili issued a special decree about police conduct in the pre-election and election periods.

Members of the international community in Georgia including the Ambassador of the United States to Georgia and OSCE observers assessed Georgia’s election campaigning positively.