Georgians start voting at parliamentary polls

Over 10% of voters voted at the parliamentary polls of Georgia at 10 am, press secretary of the Central Electoral Commission Eka Azarashvili said. Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili set elections for October 1, GHN reports.

Kakha Kaladze, the first person on the electoral list of Georgian Dream, made his vote, Georgia Online reports.

Bidzina Ivanishvili of Georgian Dream refused to vote as a protest for losing Georgian citizenship.

Georgia has 3,613,851 voters registered. They will vote at 3719 polling stations in 73 electoral districts. 77 MPs will be elected according to the proportional system and 73 according to the majority system. At least a third of the population needs to vote for the elections to succeed. Over 61,000 observers of 50 local and 61 international organizations will monitor the process.

The Public Broadcaster of Georgia, Rustavi 2, Maestro, Imedi and League of Voters will carry out the exit polls.

About 7,000 Georgians will vote in Baku. Local polling stations opened at 8 am, Trend reports.

Polling stations in Georgia will close at 8 pm. 2 electoral blocs and 14 parties run for parliament. The United National Movement and Georgian Dream are the main competitors of the polls.