Presidential election kicks off in Georgia amid heightened security

Presidential election officially got underway in Georgia, but for the first time in the country's history, the president will be elected by an electoral college consisting of 300 members, rather than through a popular vote.

This shift marks a significant change in Georgia's electoral system, as the new process has raised questions about transparency and the influence of the ruling party, Caliber.Az reports citing Russian media.

Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former footballer and former member of parliament, is the only candidate in the race. Notably, the majority of the electoral college delegates are aligned with the ruling Georgian Dream party, adding further political significance to the election.

As the electoral process unfolds, heightened security measures have been put in place around the Georgian Parliament. Additional police units have been deployed to the parliament building in anticipation of potential unrest.

Police have blocked access to the alleys surrounding the parliament, with numerous police vehicles stationed nearby. The entrance to the building is also under tight security, with guards closely monitoring access.

By Vafa Guliyeva