Georgian internal ministry warns rally participants to follow police orders

The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs has announced that police units have been mobilised across Tbilisi in anticipation of a protest planned for October 4. 

The ministry urged organisers and participants to conduct their demonstrations within the bounds of the law, to comply with lawful police instructions, and to avoid obstructing law enforcement duties. It warned that any violations would be met with an appropriate legal response, Caliber.Az reports via the ministry's statement.

The announcement comes as Georgians head to the polls for municipal elections this morning, on October 4. Voting is taking place across the country to elect 64 mayors for cities and districts, as well as deputies to local representative councils, known as sakrebulo.

According to the Central Election Commission (CEC), all 3,061 polling stations opened on time, and voting commenced without incident. A total of 3,130,348 Georgian citizens aged 18 and over are eligible to participate in the elections.

By Sabina Mammadli