Local Elections Held in Georgia Today

Local elections are taking place in Georgia today. All polling stations opened at 8:00 AM local time on October 4th and will close at 8:00 PM.

According to the head of the Central Election Commission, Giorgi Kalandarishvili, citizens will elect 2,058 members of municipal councils and 64 mayors. A total of 3,061 polling stations will operate across the country, including 10 in correctional institutions. Voting will be conducted electronically at 2,284 polling stations.

Twelve political parties are registered for the elections. In Tbilisi, nine mayoral candidates have registered, including Kaha Kaladze from the “Georgian Dream”, Irakli Kupradze from the “Lelo for Georgia” coalition, and Iago Khvichia from “Girchi,” with the remaining six being relatively unknown to the public. Regarding majoritarian candidates, a total of 2,228 candidates are registered, including 160 in Tbilisi.

According to the Central Election Commission, the total number of voters is 3,513,818. Observers from 28 international and 27 local organizations will monitor the elections.

The majority of the opposition in Georgia is boycotting the elections, and today rallies and protests are declared with the aim of “peacefully overthrowing the government.” Only the ruling “Georgian Dream” party and three opposition parties are participating in the elections. It is worth noting that six opposition leaders, most of whom participated in protests planned for 2024, are currently imprisoned on administrative and criminal charges.