Georgia guarantees free and democratic elections

The President of Georgia called on representatives of the government and self government bodies of Georgia to provide all facilities to conduct fair and democratic parliamentary elections.

Mikheil Saakashvili said it at a meeting with the heads of districts, self government bodies and local governments of Georgia on Monday.

"As a president I demand to ensure objective and fair elections, and will not tolerate violations of the laws. You are called to ensure all the constitutional rights of our citizens so that they were free to choose members of the parliament, and I am the guarantor of people's democratic rights," he said.

Saakashvili stressed that the country's fall elections are of great importance. "The elections are Rubicon for us, after overcoming it the country's democracy will be irresistible," he stressed.

The Georgian President also said he will not allow anyone to buy votes.

"We are announcing two principles before the election - zero tolerance to bribery of voters, as well as full transparency of the election and the election campaign," Saakashvili said, stressing that the government will oblige all cable TV channels to broadcast all the debates for them to be accessible to people, and they could choose between the doctrines and principles of the various parties.

Saakashvili said Georgia has a real chance to become a NATO member in 2014, and it also must be decided in October.

He urged all participants to an exemplary job, as it "would be a response to the lies that we hear every day."

"I will not allow anyone to put into question the democratic values ??of our society. I will not tolerate bribery of voters and ensure the equal rights to everyone before the law. We were able to create institutions that are respected by the people, and they will work to protect the interests of the people" Saakashvili said.

He noted that in recent months, some political forces thought they could afford to break the law and to question the right of free choice.

"They've got their wrist slapped and any attempt to bribe democracy would be stopped again abruptly and decisively," he said.


/Trend/