115,302 voters, accounting for 4.65% of total number of voters, cast ballot in the runoff elections by 10am, two hours after the polling stations were opened, according to the Central Election Commission (CEC).
The highest voter turnout – 9% – as of 10am was reported in the election district No.37, covering Mtskheta. To enter the parliament through a runoff vote, a candidate must win a simple majority of votes.
According to the Central Election Commission, “voting process is ongoing in a calm atmosphere” at those 2 229 polling stations, where a total of 2 488 042 voters are registered. CEC also reported on a number of procedural violations, which were settled on the ground or relevant complaints were filed.
CEC spokesperson, Anna Mikeladze, said at a news briefing on October 30 that some representatives of the UNM party tried to hamper the voting process in precinct No.48 in Marneuli municipality’s village of Kizilajlo, where voting in the October 8 parliamentary elections was disrupted by a violent incident. After some warnings they had to quit the polling station.
“The election administration again calls on all parties involved in the election process, persons authorized to stay inside polling stations not to hamper the voting process,” CEC said in a statement.
International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), Georgian Young Lawyers Association and Transparency International Georgia said that the voting is being held in a calm atmosphere, without essential violations, but separate procedural problems have still been reported.
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