ISFED: Tbilisi City Hall’s promise on 500 GEL vouchers for pensioners wrong ahead of run-offs

International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) says that the recent announcement of incumbent Tbilisi mayor Kakha Kaladze, that socially vulnerable pensioners will receive 500 GEL medication vouchers by 2022, carries risks of making an influence on voters ahead of the municipal election run-offs on October 30. 

ISFED head Nino Dolidze stated earlier today that making the announcement would be no problem earlier or after the run-offs, but 10 days before the second round of elections, in which Kaladze is taking part, is not welcomed. 

She stated that the election programmes of political parties should be realistic, based on the needs of voters, noting that only the ruling party has access to administrative resources. 

The municipal election run-offs will take place in 20 of 64 majoritarian and mayoral constituencies, including in capital Tbilisi. 

In 17 of the 20 constituencies the candidates of the ruling Georgian Dream and the United National Movement opposition will compete. 

Kaladze and UNM head Nika Melia will fight for Tbilisi mayoral post in the second round of elections.