Interior ministry: 5 detained for physical assault near polling station in Zugdidi
Mobile police teams are mobilised throughout the country to ensure safety and order during the election day. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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Five people have been detained for physical assault near election district No. 20 in the western Georgian town of Zugdidi, the Interior Ministry reports.
The clash in Zugdidi started after the United National Movement (UNM) activist Giorgi Mumladze called the ruling Georgian Dream party mayoral candidate Mamuka Tsotseria’s supporters ‘separatists’.
The ministry representative Ketevan Kovziashvili said at a new briefing that the mobile police teams have reported several other incidents, including the alleged violation of the 100-meter radius as well as the placement of agitation materials in 25-meter radius from the precinct.
We call on every person or organisation involved in the election process, despite their political views to immediately inform the police of any possible violations”, Kovziashvili said.
She further informed the public of the interior ministry activities aimed to ensure safe and peaceful environment during the municipal run-offs.
The Interior Ministry ensures safety and order throughout the country so that every citizen can make their choice in a free and safe environment”, she stated.
Stressing that the police will not allow any violent developments and will respond strictly to any violation, Kovziashvili called on the public and media to avoid any form of confrontation and artificial escalation, obey the lawful demands of law enforcers and contribute to ensuring peaceful election environment.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, who has cast her ballot in today’s municipal run-offs, said she hopes polarisation will end in Georgia.
Ruling Georgian Dream party chair Irakli Kobakhide, who has cast his ballot in today’s municipal run-offs, said the choice is ‘very simple’ between the two political forces – the Georgian Dream and the opposition United National Movement.
The ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party head Irakli Kobakhidze has stated that the GD is winning in 18 out of 20 municipalities, saying that in the remaining two municipalities the opposition United National Movement (UNM) party is close to 50% threshold.
Former prime minister of and leader of For Georgia political party Giorgi Gakharia has cast his ballot in today’s municipal run-offs, and said he voted ‘for Georgia,’ but not for any candidate. Gakharia explained that by coming to the run-offs, he performed his ‘civilian duty.’
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, who has cast his ballot in today’s municipal elections, said he voted for the country’s ‘peaceful development.’ PM Garibashvili, who arrived at the polling station with his family, asked the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) supporters to cast their ballots as well.
MP Ani Tsitlidze from the opposition United National Movement (UNM) party has been escorted by the police out of Zugdidi’s 21st polling station. The incident reportedly took place after the UNM’s election commission member, two journalists, and an NGO representative got kicked out of the station.
Head of the Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA) Nika Simonishvili has called on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to timely investigate the attacks on journalists and observers of GYLA.
Tbilisi mayor candidate from the United National Movement (UNM) Nika Melia and the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party members Beka Davituliani and Giorgi Amilakhvari have clashed at the polling station in Vazisubani district in Tbilisi earlier today due to a power outage at the spot.