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Georgia elects new parliament

21 May 2008 09:05 (UTC +04:00)

Three election blocks and nine parties are included in the voting ballots. It is seventh parliamentary elections in the history of independent Georgia. Political parties and blocks have to get over the barrier of 5 per cent of votes, but not 7 per cent, as it was previously, to win seats in the parliament. According to the Central Election Commission, 3 465 736 voters were registered in Georgia. 37 thousands voters living abroad were registered in the Georgian embassies and consulates. Poll stations were established in 14 countries, where Georgian Diaspora is living, including Russia, Ukraine, Germany and Greece, as well as in Iraq where Georgian peace-keepers are serving. CEC said it would announce the first result of the elections 24 hours later after the ending of voting process. Cost of one-minute air time is varying from 10 to 30 thousands USD. TV channels provided all parties with 10 seconds of air time in every hour and one-minute free air time for three times a day. First incident has been already identified in the elections. Members of the election commission in 37th poll station have scuffled with each other because one of them told the voter which party he has to vote for. Voting process started later in one of the poll stations in Tbilisi because finger-ink detector was out of work.