Ruling Party Chair Ivanishvili Is Sure GD Wins By-Elections

Founder and Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, ex-Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili said he is sure GD candidates win in today’s by-elections.

After casting his vote in Mtatsminda constituency, Ivanishvili expressed hope that Georgian people will make “a right choice” today.

“I am sure that Georgian Dream candidates will win today with great advantage…There is the probability of the second round in two constituencies, but the advantage of our candidates is huge and likely Georgian Dream candidates should win in the first round, "Ivanishvili said.

Parliamentary by-elections through a majoritarian election system are underway in N1 Mtatsminda election district today. The elections became necessary after the district majoritarian MP, Salome Zurabishvili, became the first female president of Georgia in November 2018.

Moreover, there are underway City Council (Sakrebulo) by-elections in Sagarejo, Akhmeta, Adigeni, Zestafoni, Chiatura, Tkibuli, Tskaltubo and Ozurgeti municipality majoritarian election districts. The elections are underway in 26 election precincts in all eight municipalities.

The Central Election Commission (CEC) also appointed Extraordinary Mayoral Elections in Marneuli, Zestafoni, Chiatura, Zugdidi and Khulo municipalities. They are underway in 362 election precincts.

The voter turnout by 10 am, according to CEC,  was 6.8% (27,256 voters).

By Thea Morrison

Photo source: 1TV