Troops on Round-the-Clock Duty as Elections Loom

Georgia’s interior and defense ministry troops are being put on round-the-clock duty on the eve of the November 2 parliamentary elections.

Authorities’ this decision triggered opposition’s concern, which claims that the move aims at ballot rigging. 

“The authorities already know they will rig this election, and people will protest. So the army and police will be ordered to forcibly put down all rallies,” Giorgi Arveladze of the opposition National Movement party said.

The interior and defense authorities have arranged that troops will not have to leave their barracks to vote.

Authorities claim provocation are anticipated during the elections and the troops should be ready to prevent destabilization.