Justice Minister says Georgian Dream set “strict” election threshold

A Minister within the Georgian Government says the country’s leaders were brave to introduce a higher threshold for election candidates, as it made things tougher for the Government but encouraged a more democratic and fair election outcome.

Justice Minister Tea Tsulukiani believed the ruling party set "strict” rules for itself by adopting a 50 percent threshold – up from 30 percent – in the 2014 municipal elections.

She said this strict new rule would ensure the person elected to power had the support of the majority of the population, and the public had the right to choose who they wanted in power.

"Now it is important for Georgian Dream to maintain its leadership,” she said.

People need to decide who they prefer to be in power. Perhaps, when a second runoff takes place, and it seems to be a reality, results will see [David] Narmania be the majority favourite and become the Mayor representing Tbilisi locals, unlike [former Mayor and UNM party leader]Gigi Ugulava, who was the favourite for the minority, she said.

Minister Tsulukiani said she was proud of the Government for introducing the strict rules. She said it showed courage and nerve for the Government to make tougher rules for themselves but it encouraged a more democratic and fair election outcome.

Preliminary results from the Central Election Commission (CEC) revealed a second round of voting would be needed in most municipal districts of the country, as candidates did not exceed the 50 percent threshold.

Latest CEC figures from 9am today, when votes from 86 percent of the capital city’s precincts had been counted, revealed Narmania gained the highest number of votes (46.35 percent). He is now expected to challenge opposition United National Movement (UNM) candidate Nika Melia, who gained 27.58 percent of votes, in the next voting round.