According to the press centre of the Central Election Commission (CEC), they expect the voters to become more active later in the day.
In the Georgian monitors' opinion, the reason for the low voters turnout is the obvious outcome of the elections.
"As distinct from the parliamentary elections of November 2, 2003 (in fact, the opposition's accusations that the election results were falsified led to the collapse of the Shevardnadze's regime and the success of the revolution of roses) and the presidential elections of January 4, 2004, when the voters were well mobilised and protected their right to choose a future for their country, the voters do not feel such a need at the current elections. They believe that the victory in these elections is predetermined, and this is the reason for their low turnout," said David Usupashvili, member of the non-governmentalYoung Lawyers' Association, to journalists.
On the whole, the voting process in Georgia proceeds in a quiet atmosphere, without any grave violations. However, the CEC points out that serious law breaches took place in the south-eastern region of Kvemo kartli, where monitors registered the issuance of ballot-papers with the already marked name of the candidate. The majority of the population in this region of Georgia is Azerbaijanis.
The CEC's chairman said that the election results at such polling stations as Kvemo kartli might be declared invalid.
