Opposition leaders vote, say they expect changes
Lelo for Georgia leader Badri Japaridze has stated that these are ‘decisive elections’. Photo: IPN.
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Leader of the European Georgia opposition party David Bakradze has cast his ballot in today’s parliamentary elections, stating that he expects ‘big changes.’
I am sure that we will live in better Georgia. I have positive expectations. I voted for changes,” Bakradze said.
Lelo for Georgia leader David Usupashvili has urged the government to first of all ensure the conduct of free and fair elections.
It is important that the elections be held calmly and transparently. I am sure that the day will be the beginning of many positive changes,” Usupashvili said.
He added that the Georgian people should go to the polling stations and support the changes.
Another leader of the party Badri Japaridze said that he voted for the 'end of slowdown and the building of a strong state.'
It is a very important elections in the modern history of Georgia, he said.
Georgians are heading to the polls today to elect the country’s 10th national legislature since independence from the Soviet Union back in 1991.
The ruling Georgian Dream party chairperson Bidzina Ivanishvili has stated that he has voted for the country’s development, stability, peace and Georgia’s European future.
Georgians are heading to the polls today to elect the country’s 10th national legislature since independence from the Soviet Union back in 1991. For the first time, the elections will be held per a mixed electoral system, with 120 members of parliament (MP) to be elected via party lists and the remaining 30 running in single-member majoritarian districts.An election bloc or party which receives less than 40.54 per cent of votes (less than 76 seats in the 150-member parliament) in the proportional elections will not be able to form a government.
Lelo for Georgia political party, which was founded by co-founders of TBC Bank Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, has presented the party list for the October 31 parliamentary elections.
Recent polls by the International Republican Institute’s (IRI) have revealed ‘sustained support’ for the government’s management of COVID-19 as well as ‘persistent anxiety over the economy’, saying that these issues ‘are motivating citizens to go to the polls on October 31 and make their voices heard.’
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia cast his vote earlier today in Tbilisi, stating he ‘voted for the future as no one can imagine a return to the past.’
Opposition United National Movement member Dimitri Shashkin has been observed walking with a gun near the polling station in the Talaveri village of Bolnisi municipality earlier today. Shashkin, who admitted carrying the gun, said he is authorised by the interior ministry to do so. However, Shaskin said, he did not enter any polling stations.