Tbilisi Mayor: All Georgian citizens will have opportunity to vote, but only in Georgia

“All Georgian citizens will have the opportunity to vote, but only in Georgia,” Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze responded to a question about the proposed changes to the Election Code.

He explained that false information is being deliberately spread, suggesting that immigrants are prohibited from voting.

“The claim that immigrants will not have the opportunity to vote is simply not true. This misinformation is being intentionally circulated. Of course, all citizens of Georgia will have the chance to vote, but they will do so here in Georgia. Voting is not being banned. Given that external interference exists even within our borders, considering that the United States of America has spoken openly about this major issue, any decision made must be based on the country’s best interests. Many countries share a similar stance; for example, Ireland, Israel, and Armenia. Nothing extraordinary is happening. If citizens wish to participate in elections, they will come to Georgia and cast their ballots,” Kaladze stated.

Tbilisi Mayor also emphasised that external interference in Georgia’s internal political affairs remains a significant threat.

“We are taking all necessary steps in the interests of our country. Today, the greatest danger comes from external interference, especially blatant interference. Look beyond the rhetoric: consider what some ambassadors are doing, the statements they are making, and their actions. What are we truly discussing? The most vital issues are the security of our country and the protection of our sovereignty and independence. The external interference threat is real. That’s why we are prioritising measures to safeguard our nation’s security and future,” Kaladze affirmed.

The capital’s mayor explained that the core issue isn’t about how many votes someone receives; it’s about safeguarding the country’s security.

“I can cite good examples from Romania and Moldova, illustrating how external interference can influence elections. In our case, overseas voting may influence the results by less than 1%; it is essentially negligible. But the real question is not about who wins. No, the primary concern is the security of our country and the protection of its interests,” Kaladze concluded.