Georgian leaders call for voter turnout Acceptance of election result

In the lead-up to the parliamentary elections, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze urged opposition forces to recognize the results of the electoral process.

Speaking to reporters, Kobakhidze emphasized the importance of accepting the outcomes as announced by the Central Election Commission, Caliber.Az reports citing Russian media.

“I call on the opposition to humble themselves and accept the results of the elections,” he stated, asserting that the ruling Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia party enjoys 60 per cent support among the populace.

Meanwhile, Giorgi Gakharia, leader of the Gakharia for Georgia party, made his political choice known by voting at polling station No.42, accompanied by his wife, Marika Pantsulaia. Gakharia encouraged citizens to make their voices heard at the polls.

“Today is an important day,” he remarked, urging every Georgian to participate in the elections and underscoring the significance of voting for a return to normalcy. “We must do everything to ensure that our country follows a democratic, free, and fair path toward European development,” he said.

Echoing these sentiments, Salome Samadashvili, a prominent figure in the Strong Georgia party, also cast her vote and highlighted the critical role of citizen participation. “Today, Georgian citizens can save Georgia's European future with their votes,” she declared, urging the public to reject poverty and authoritarianism. Samadashvili expressed hope that a significant number of citizens would exercise their constitutional right to vote, reinforcing the importance of active engagement in shaping the nation’s future.

In a similar vein, Shalva Papuashvili, Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, also participated in the elections. After casting his vote, he stated, “The Georgian Dream is the only choice that Georgia has. Today, we are faced with a decision between good and evil, spirituality and godlessness.”

Polling stations have opened across Georgia for the parliamentary elections.

Voting will take place from 08:00 to 20:00 local time (coinciding with Baku time).

Citizens can cast their votes at 3,111 polling stations, with 67 stations set up abroad. Approximately 3.5 million voters are registered, including a record number of over 95,000 citizens living outside Georgia who will participate in the elections.

By Vafa Guliyeva