Foreign Minister: “Happy that we managed to implement the highest election standards”

We have managed to implement the highest election standards in our country, says Vice Prime Minister of Georgia, Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze.

Janelidze arrived at a polling station together with his wife and daughter earlier today. He cast his ballot in the Municipal Elections, where Georgia is electing hundreds of local officials.

"Today we are electing local authorities in an open, free, and calm environment. The voice and free expression of each and every citizen make our country stronger,” he said.

"I am happy that we managed to implement the highest level of election standards. This is the road towards our stable development, the welfare of every citizen, and a European future.”

Mikheil Janelidze arrived at a polling station with his wife and daughter. Photo: Foreign Ministry's press office.

Today, October 21, is election day in Georgia, when the country is voting for 2,058 members of 64 city councils (sakrebulo) and 64 municipal mayors.

The polling stations opened at 8am this morning for about 3.44 million eligible voters and will close at exactly 8pm.

Mikheil Janelidze casted his ballot in today's Municipal Elections together with his daughter. Photo: Foreign Ministry's press office.

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.

• Check out an interactive map from Agenda.ge throughout the day to get all election updates, including voter turnout and preliminary results.