Municipal Elections 2017: Tbilisi mayoral candidates cast their ballots

It has been four hours since the polling stations opened for voters this morning and some of Tbilisi's mayoral candidates have already cast their ballots in today's municipal elections.

Georgian Dream candidate Kakha Kaladze arrived at the polling station at about 10 am.

Casting his ballot, Kaladze told journalists that he voted for a cleaner city, better-organised transport system and urban and ecological development.

"We must feel that the city is alive. The city must be full of love, history, culture and I believe that we will achieve this”, he said.

The mayoral candidate assessed the voting process as calm so far.

Kakha Kaladze casting his ballot in the Municipal Elections. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

Another candidate, Elene Khoshtaria of European Georgia, has already made her choice at today’s vote.

"I have voted for returning the belief that we can make our city more comfortable, fair and human-oriented and I also voted for the vision that I believe will bring all of these”, she said.

She added she is motivated to become mayor and get to work.

United National Movement candidate Zaal Udumashvili, who cast his vote in Tbilisi’s Didube district, said that the weather is good in the city today and encouraged everyone to go to the elections.

"I have voted for a successful Tbilisi, for the future of our children and a human-oriented city”, he said.

Aleksandre Elisashvili arrived at the polling station with his family and cast his ballot in the Municipal Elections. 

Independent candidate Aleksandre Elisashvili arrived at the polling station together with his family.

"This city needs a change like fresh air. My family and I voted for change", he said. 

Elisashvili said he is confident that this evening he will learn that he has won. 

Today Georgians are voting for 2,058 members of 64 city councils (sakrebulo) and 64 municipal mayors.

Twenty-two political parties, five election blocs and one initiative group have registered their party lists for the elections.

To win the mayoral elections, candidates must clear a 50 percent threshold. If this is not reached, a second round of voting will be held.

All the polling stations countrywide will close at exactly 8 pm and the process of counting votes will begin immediately.