Georgian PM, NDI Georgia Office Director, observers discuss parliamentary elections

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday discussed the parliamentary elections, scheduled for October 26, and pre-election campaign environment in the country with Alan Gillam, the Director of the National Democratic Institute Office in Georgia and members of the NDI Observation Mission.

The sides reviewed the new legal framework for elections, with Kobakhidze noting over 90 percent of voters would be registered and vote electronically for the first time, the Government Administration said.

He added the method would be used for counting the results as well and added faults in the process would be “brought down to minimum” as a result.

The meeting also discussed the role of international observation missions in the country.

The PM pledged to ensure “free and fair” elections “this time again”, along with “maximum transparency” of the election process, with both short- and long-term missions being invited from “reputable” international organisations to observe the elections.

He confirmed the readiness of his Governments to “greatly facilitate” a reduction of political polarisation in the country to make sure the election campaign proceeded in a “peaceful setting”.