Election Commission concerned by violence in western Georgia

Georgia's Central Election Commission (CEC) chairperson Tamar Zhvania revealed details of "serious physical confrontations" that took place at several voting stations during Election Day yesterday.

A short time ago Zhvania addressed media in her latest election update, detailing cases of physical clashes and attacks on polling stations during the October 8 vote. She focused on incidents that occurred in Zugdidi and Kutaisi in western Georgia.

Regarding voting stations #79 and #108 in Zugdidi […] we can confirm that serious physical confrontations took place at these polling stations."

We have information that unidentified individuals under the influence of alcohol forced their way into these stations, forced Commission members out, damaged and destroyed inventory. No possibility for continuing the voting process remained at these two venues," said the CEC top official. 

Zhvania said police had been notified of the incidents and were investigating. She said it was "unfortunate" the two polling venues had threatened voters' expression of election choice. 

She then went on to describe a relatively minor incident in Kutaisi.

In Kutaisi we had information about a confrontation at one of the stations but it took place outside of the polling station and did not influence the process inside."

Zhvania expressed hope election subjects and their supporters would "allow the public and election administration" to conclude the election process in peaceful conditions.