Georgian ombudswoman recommends postponement of municipal elections
Georgian Public Defender Nino Lomjaria has stated that the epidemiological situation in the country is ‘alarming’ and that the upcoming municipal elections should be postponed. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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Georgian Public Defender Nino Lomjaria says that the October 2 municipal elections should be postponed due to the surging Covid-19 case figures.
Lomjaria wrote on Facebook that ‘yes, all freedoms may be restricted if human lives are at risk.’
Her post came in response to statements from mostly ruling Georgian Dream politicians who say there is no need to postpone the elections.
Lomjaria says that ‘everyone knows elections are not the Election Day only. Elections in the country are connected with assemblies, demonstrations, etc,”
She said that a third academic school year is about to begin without in-person studies and amid warnings of health workers that they may not be able to ensure even ambulatory services.
Only human lives and health should be given priority in such a situation,” Lomjaria said.
The ruling party says that the elections carry less risks than visiting a market, adding that Lomjaria 'was at least pushed to make a mistake' while speaking about the threats. Photo: Public Defender's press office.
Head of Georgia’s National Centre for Disease Control Amiran Gamkrelidze has responded that ‘the issue should not be politicized’ and advised Lomjaria to attend the coordinating council meeting on coronavirus issues to debate the topic.
Georgia has reported 5,021 new cases of coronavirus, 5,041 recoveries and 58 deaths in the past 24 hours.
Starting today restaurants, cafes and other facilities around the country will work until 22:00 instead of 23:00.
Public transport and large events are suspended in all Georgian cities until September 4, while individuals will have to wear facemasks both indoors and outdoors.
Georgia has reported 5,924 new cases of coronavirus, 5,041 recoveries and 58 deaths in the past 24 hours. 57,762 remain infected with Covid-19 in Georgia currently.53,747 tests were conducted around the country in the past 24 hours. 33,312 of the 53,747 tests were rapid tests, while the remaining 20,435 were PCR tests. The country has had 528,043 cases of coronavirus since February 26, 2020. 10.84 per cent of tested individuals had Covid-19 in the past 14 days.
Head of Georgia’s National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Amiran Gamkrelidze has stated that Covid-19 deaths in the past one week in Georgia and worldwide outnumbered the most common individuals causes of death such as cardiovascular diseases, ischemic heart diseases, stroke and tumors.
Georgia has reported 5,924 new cases of coronavirus, 4,777 recoveries and 60 deaths in the past 24 hours. 59,659 remain infected with Covid-19 in Georgia currently. 47,288 tests were conducted around the country in the past 24 hours. 35,185 of the 47,288 tests were rapid tests, while the remaining 12,103 were PCR tests. The country has had 523,022 cases of coronavirus since February 26, 2020. 10.93 per cent of tested individuals had Covid-19 in the past 14 days.
Georgia has reported 2,354 new cases of coronavirus, 5,200 recoveries and 60 deaths in the past 24 hours. In total, 22,875 tests have been conducted around the country of which 12,208 tests were rapid tests, while the remaining 10,667 were PCR tests. Since February 26, 2020 Georgia has had 517,098 cases of coronavirus, 453,488 recoveries and 6,831 deaths.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili says that the opposition parties are ‘campaigning’ for the postponement of the October 2 municipal elections because they are ‘destined for failure’ in the race. While presenting the ruling party’s majoritarian candidate in Mestia in the Svaneti region earlier today, Garibashvili noted that the opposition ‘has used the Public Defender’s office’ to push the government to declare a state of emergency which will automatically postpone the elections.
OSCE/ODIHR will send 350 short-term and 30 long-term observers to Georgia for the country’s October 2 municipal elections.
Georgian central and district commission members have signed a code of ethics ahead of the upcoming October 2 municipal elections in Georgia, promising to remain fair, impartial and independent.