US urges citizens to exercise caution on election day in Georgia

The US embassy in Georgia is sending emails to American citizens residing in the country, urging them to avoid crowded places on October 26, the day of the parliamentary elections.

In an exclusive email obtained by the channel, the embassy warns that spontaneous protests and gatherings could occur on election day, Caliber.Az reports via Georgian media.

“Unplanned, spontaneous protests that involve violence have also taken place in Georgia in the past. Large crowds are unpredictable, and confrontations between event participants, counter-protesters, and police may happen without warning,” the message states.

The embassy advises Americans to remain vigilant in crowded areas, steer clear of protest sites, exercise caution if caught in the midst of a demonstration, stay updated with local news. 

Parliamentary elections in Georgia are set to take place on October 26. These will be the first elections to use electronic voting machines, which will be installed at 74 per cent of polling stations, covering nearly 90 per cent of voters. In addition to devices that read votes from ballots, technology will also be employed to verify voters. 

The "Georgian Dream — Democratic Georgia" ruling party which has been in power for 12 years will aim for a fourth consecutive victory. Its main opponent, as in previous elections, is the United National Movement, founded by ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili. To secure a place in parliament, parties must surpass a five per cent electoral threshold.

By Naila Huseynova