Parliament Vice Speaker: “no-one will be allowed” to “throw citizen votes in rubbish” in election

Archil Talakvadze, the Georgian Parliament’s Vice Speaker, on Thursday said the country’s Government was responsible for securing integrity of elections, and pledged “no-one will be allowed to throw votes of citizens in rubbish” during the upcoming general vote in October. 

In an interview with the Georgian Public Broadcaster, Talakvadze claimed the domestic opposition was “preparing more for the day after the election than the election day [itself]”, before saying the ruling power’s “advice” for their opponents was for them to “prepare for the [latter]”.

Our advice is for them to prepare for the election day, and for the preceding days when they have to meet citizens, explain who their leaders are [and] who will be able to implement their programmes, what the programmes are and how those are better than others'”, Talakvadze said. 

“Of course, we want there to be a competition of programmes and leaders, however, there is a high probability that there will be a destructive approach and preparation for the second day of the elections on their part”, he continued. 

Talakvadze also stressed election authorities would “not allow anyone to bypass the ballot box and enter any room [like before]” during the voting.