Tbilisi on the Eve of Elections – in Pictures

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Political parties and blocs running for November 2 parliamentary elections ceased campaigning on November 1. A total of 9 blocs and 12 parties will contest for 235 seats in the new Parliament. 75 seats will be distributed among the candidates running in the single-mandate constituencies. Remaining seats will be allocated under the proportional, party-list
system.

According to the recent opinion polls, only about six of them will be able to clear the 7% barrier necessary to secure seats in the legislative body. Observers say race will be too close, thus none of them will be able to form majority in the legislative body. Observers also say that it is almost impossible to predict the outcome of the polls.

Observers say that the November 2 elections are crucial as there is too much at stakes for the country. In recent months the U.S. dispatched to Georgia several high-level delegations, which delivered tough message to the Georgian authorities – elections would greatly determine Georgia’s relationship with the western democratic states.

2005 presidential elections in Georgia is yet another issue that makes November 2 elections so important. Shevardnadze will step down in 2005 and observers suggest that the outcome of November 2 elections would largely determine the results of the presidential elections.