PM says ruling GD is leading, the run-off is expected in Matasminda
By Tea Mariamidze
Monday, May 20
Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze held a special briefing on May 19, the day of by-elections, saying ruling Georgian Dream (GD) is leading in all cities, adding in Tbilisi it is expected to have a run-off.
"According to the information that we have at the moment, our candidates are winning everywhere. As for Tbilisi, there might be a second round here,” he said.
The PM thanked the Central Election Commission (CEC) and the law enforcers for their work.
“I would like to congratulate everyone on the very high-standard elections in a democratic and free environment. This is the greatest achievement of our team, the political achievement we are particularly proud of. Today the Georgian society, as well as the international community, once again saw the elections in Georgia in a free and democratic environment,” he said.
Bakhtadze also accused the United National Movement (UNM) in 'destructive actions.'
“Unfortunately once again we saw destructive actions from the UNM and their media outlets. The counting process of the votes is underway, and I would like to call on everyone to let the commission work in a calm environment,” he added.
Unlike Georgian PM, UNM Mayoral candidate in Zugdidi, ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili’s wife Sandra Roelofs said she is sure of victory.
"We will not need a second round because we have won in the first round. I'm already getting good results from the polling stations. ...We are leading in most polling stations, and that is why they [GD] are saying that a second round is expected to be held," said Sandra Roelofs, adding she will not give up.
Parliamentary by-elections through a majoritarian election system took place in N1 Mtatsminda election district of Tbilisi on May 19. The elections became necessary after the district majoritarian MP, Salome Zurabishvili, became the first female president of Georgia in November 2018.
Moreover, City Council (Sakrebulo) interim elections were held in Sagarejo, Akhmeta, Adigeni, Zestafoni, Chiatura, Tkibuli, Tskaltubo and Ozurgeti municipality majoritarian election districts. The elections took place in 26 election precincts in all eight municipalities.
The Central Election Commission (CEC) also appointed Extraordinary Mayoral Elections in Marneuli, Zestafoni, Chiatura, Zugdidi and Khulo municipalities. They took place in 362 election precincts.
173,361 voters cast a ballot in the elections, accounting for 43.1% of the total number of voters, according to the Central Election Commission. In total there were 410 election precincts where 402,091voters were registered.
CEC reported that the highest voter turnout 74.56% was observed in Sagarejo (340 voters), while the lowest was in Mtatsminda district- 34.27% (15049 voters).
As for the rest of the municipalities, the voter turnout was as follows:
Akhmeta - 50,57% (617 voters), Marneuli - 35,82% (35714 voters), Adigeni - 56.41% (634 voters), Zestafoni - 47,03% (25838 voters), Chiatura - 43,26% (17558 voters), Tkibuli - 39,85% (1420 voters), Tskaltubo - 52,05% (21,94 voters), Ozurgeti - 45,45% (2313 voters), Zugdidi - 46,88% (56643 voters) , Khulo - 58,21% (14041 voters).
According to the Central Election Commission, 89 complaints were written in all District Election Commissions. As CEC spokesperson Ana Mikeladze told media, most of the complaints were written in Zugdidi.
"44 complaints were filed in Zugdidi, 21 complaints in Marneuli, 16 in Khulo, 6 in Zestaphoni, one in Ozurgeti and one in Tbilisi," Mikeladze said. According to her, the complaints are mostly technical.
CEC said the voting process was calm and the voters had an opportunity to cast their ballots in a calm and free atmosphere.
The voting process in Georgia’s by-elections was held without major violations, the Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA) also reported in its preliminary assessments.
However, GYLA noted that presence of party activists and supporters at polling stations was wide-spread across the country. The NGO said this 'threatened expression of voters’ free will.'
Expert Ramaz Sakvarelidze says there were no major violations during the elections. As for the low voter turnout, he says it is normal and quite common for mid-term elections.
According to Sakvarelidze, Zugdidi was in the center of attention because The United National Movement’s candidate there was Sandra Roelofs.
