Press briefing of MIA Strategic Communications Department Director – Ketevan Kovziashvili
We would like to inform the public about the measures planned and implemented by the Ministry of Internal Affairs to hold the second round of municipal elections in a safe and peaceful environment.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs ensures security and rule of law and order throughout the country, so that every citizen can make their own choice in a free and safe environment.
As it is already known to the public, appropriate mobile police groups have been set up to ensure a safe election environment. Today, as in the first round of elections, mobile police groups are mobilized throughout Georgia to maintain public order.
We will inform you in detail about the incidents observed by the police during the second round of the elections and the response of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to the mentioned incidents:
- The Zugdidi District Division has launched an investigation into the fact of physical abuse in the city of Zugdidi, near the N20 polling station, under the first part of Article 126, which stipulates violence;
- From Senaki N14 polling station, based on the report of the journalist of Mtavari TV, an investigation was launched under Article 126 of the Criminal Code;
- In Zugdidi, near the already named polling station, the police detained 5 people. Zugdidi District Division is conducting an administrative violation case under Articles 166 and 173 of the Code of Administrative Offenses.
In addition, at this stage, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, based on the received messages and media reports, responded to the facts of gathering of people or voter registration 100 meters from the polling station, as well as the placement of agitation material within 25 meters, within 10 administrative cases.
We appeal to all persons or organizations involved in the election process, regardless of their political views, in case of finding an alleged violation, to report the violation and notify the police immediately. We also call on citizens, media representatives to refrain from any form of confrontation and artificial escalation of the situation, to abide by the law, to obey the lawful demands of the police and to promote the peaceful conduct of elections.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs actively cooperates with international monitoring missions and local non-governmental organizations. On the day of the second round of elections, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will periodically inform the observer organizations, as well as the public and all interested parties about possible violations of the law during the elections, appropriate response and other issues within the competence of the police.
The police will not allow the election process to develop in a violent scenario and will react strictly to any fact of violation.
