TBILISI: The Chairman of the Georgian Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, affirmed the role of the ruling party, Georgian Dream, as a beacon of peace for the country. In statements made after participating in the ongoing legislative elections, Papuashvili emphasized the significance of the elections in determining the country’s future direction, urging citizens to vote for Georgian Dream as a guarantee of stability and progress.

According to Trend News Agency, Papuashvili conveyed the importance of the elections, framing them as a choice between divergent paths of malevolence and virtue, secularism and spirituality. He urged the populace to vote in favor of Georgian Dream to ensure continued peace, a dignified path toward European integration, and enhanced prosperity over the next 12 years.

Polling stations across Georgia opened at 08:00 local time and will close at 20:00. The voting population eligible to participate totals 3,508,294, including 95,910 Georgians residing abroad. For these elections, 3,111 votin
g stations have been established, including a record 67 stations in foreign locations, spanning 53 cities across 42 countries.

The electoral process is being monitored by 102 local organizations and 64 international organizations to ensure transparency and fairness. This year marks a shift to a proportional representation system based on party lists, with parties needing to secure at least five percent of the vote to gain seats in parliament. Eighteen parties are competing, with some forming coalitions to strengthen their chances.

For the first time, Georgia is implementing an electronic voting system, anticipated to facilitate the swift counting of ballots. It is expected that over 90 percent of votes will be tallied, and results announced within an hour after the polls close.