Tbilisi: Irakli Kobakhidze, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Georgia met with Alan Gillam the director of the National Democratic Institute’s office in Georgia. The meeting was to discuss the forthcoming elections for Parliament.
On this occasion both sides discussed the parliamentary elections scheduled for October 26 and the pre-election campaign environment in the country. The meeting was attended by the members of the NDI Observation Mission.
During the meeting, both sides analyzed the latest legal framework for elections. The Prime Minister of Georgia Kobakhidze underlined that more than ninety percent of the voters have been registered and will exercise their rights for the first time through the voting machines.
The government representative stated that the use of the voting machine for the first time would ensure more transparency. The EVM machine will also minimize the faults in the process. Moreover any other discrepancies will also be “brought down to a minimum” as a result of EVM.
The meeting stresses the enhanced role of international observation missions in the country and how they can also play an active role in it. It is worth mentioning that the Prime Minister already said that “his ruling party Georgian Dreamw will ensure that the free and fair elections are conducted. Moreover the election will be more transparent than the past election.”
According to the Prime Minister to ensure “free and fair” elections in a very transparent manner both short and long-term missions from “reputable” international organizations are being invited to observe them. He also said that the opposition will not have any chance to raise objections to the general election as the government will also ensure maximum transparency.
At the same time the Prime Minister said that the government will facilitate the reduction of political polarisation in the country to make sure the election campaign stays peaceful and voters can elect their representatives in a fair and impartial manner as well.
The general election scheduled for October is seen as a referendum on the Georgian Dream. The party came under direct attack from the general public after the adoption of the foreign agent’s law a few months ago.
