Ruling party: we’ll take 100 seats in parliament, opposition planning to spark tension on election day
The ruling party says that it will not need cooperation with opposition parties in parliament to form the government following tomorrow’s elections. Photo: Georgian Dream press office.
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The ruling Georgian Dream party says that it will take about 100 seats in the 150-member parliament in tomorrow's elections, adding that the United National Movement opposition party has made groups of former law-enforcers to spark tension and stage provocations’ on election day.
The ruling party Executive Secretary Irakli Kobakhidze stated earlier today that UNM members Dimitri Shashkin, Nika Melia and Devi Chankotadze will lead the ‘groups of provocateurs’ who have been given batons and electric shock devices.
The groups of people who have been mobilised by the UNM to stage the provocations include former soldiers and policemen who also have the right to carry weapons. The information has leaked from the UNM office and we have the list of the individuals. We urge the Interior Ministry to immediately react to the information (list). Any destructive actions will be strongly punished,” Kobakhidze said, urging observers to ‘closely watch’ Melia, Shashkin and Chankotadze on election day.
- Ruling party: opposition has plans to release deepfakes on election day
- Ruling party says UNM has ‘revolutionary headquarter’ along with official, election headquarters
He stated that the UNM has plans to spark tensions in Bolnisi, Dmanisi, Marneuli and Zugdidi municipalities, in Batumi and in the Gldani district of Tbilisi.
Kobakhidze said that the current state leadership ensured the pre-election period was held in a free and transparent environment and will do so for election day and the post-election period.
A day before the parliamentary elections Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has urged people to make their choice at ballot boxes as the elections will define the country’s development for years to come. He stated that Georgia is able to show the world how to hold ‘exemplary elections’ despite the pandemic. "I will say once again. The pandemic will be over, we will also cope with the economic crisis. However, the elections which will be held tomorrow will define the country’s fate for years. That is why I urge our citizens to vote,” Gakharia said.
US ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan says that the success of the October 31 parliamentary elections is up to the Georgian Dream government and the Georgian people.
The ruling Georgian Dream party says that the United National Movement opposition party (UNM) has ‘revolutionary headquarters’ along with the official election headquarters which is chaired by former Interior Minister, recently released Vano Merabishvili.
The ruling Georgian Dream party says that the ‘radical opposition’ which has ‘zero chance of winning the parliamentary elections’ has plans to release deepfakes on election day, on Saturday.Deepfake videos are inauthentic videos that depict people and voices that resemble their counterparts in reality.Kobakhidze says that the videos, which may depict members of the ruling party, including party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, will aim to mislead voters.
The ruling Georgian Dream party chairperson Bidzina Ivanishvili has stated that he has voted for the country’s development, stability, peace and Georgia’s European future.
US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan says “It’s very important that as the officials begin to count the ballots, supporters of all political parties respect the work of election officials, accept the official results calmly, and show that these elections meet international standards from start to finish”.