US Ambassador: Georgia should expect Russian interference in the elections

US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan says that Georgia should expect Russian interference in the upcoming parliamentary elections. 

She said that one of the ways Russia may interfere in the parliamentary elections is to spread disinformation campaigns.

The US and international donors have an initiative aimed at raising the awareness of the Georgian public and helping Georgians to distinguish fake news from verified information", Degnan said.

She added that political leaders should also provide information to the public on issues that are important to them.

This is necessary to ensure that voters arrive at the polling station prepared and informed", Degnan said.

Parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held in Georgia on October, 31 2020 to elect 150 members of parliament. 

• President Zurabishvili confirms Oct. 31 for parliamentary, Adjara Supreme Council elections

Parliamentary elections will be held according to an updated electoral system: 120 MPs will be elected according to party lists, and 30 - according to majoritarian districts. In addition, the barrier for a party to enter parliament has been lowered and is now not three, but only one percent.