Georgian PM: election precincts will open in all diplomatic missions

Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday announced that election precincts would be established in all Georgian diplomatic missions abroad for the October 26 general elections. Speaking to journalists in Khashuri, Kobakhidze said, “we will act according to international practice, and a precinct will be opened in all diplomatic representations.”

Kobakhidze outlined the timeline for the upcoming elections, noting that political parties traditionally submitted their candidate lists to the Central Election Commission on the final legally stipulated day. “There are two months left before the submission of the list, and we will follow the same procedure,” he said. Additionally, Kobakhidze mentioned that meetings with the population in the regions would begin in early August.

With three months remaining before the elections, Kobakhidze emphasized the importance of direct communication with the electorate during the pre-election period. “We will use this opportunity to have closer, direct communication with the population. Our promises, which include economic, social, cultural, and sports issues, will be reflected in our election program. Our slogan is to conduct our policy with dignity,” he noted. 

Kobakhidze also addressed the process of compiling the party’s candidate list. “The list is drawn up by the political council of the party, as stipulated in the party’s charter. The Political Council will decide the composition and order of the list. Until the Political Council makes a decision, we cannot comment further,” he said.

Regarding the amnesty bill, Kobakhidze assured that it was balanced and designed to prevent any deterioration in the crime situation in the country. He criticized the opposition for not supporting the legislation, claiming, “when the opposition does not support the law on amnesty, it opposes the common interests of society.”

Kobakhidze concluded by asserting that the opposition, which he referred to as the “collective United National Movement, would suffer a significant defeat in the upcoming elections. “We currently have a rate of approximately 60 percent. No matter how the opposition unites, the overall configuration cannot be changed,” he asserted.