Parliamentary by-elections are being held at N1 majoritarian election district in Tbilisi today. In addition, extraordinary mayoral elections are being held in Marneuli, Zestaponi, Chiatura, Zugdidi and Khulo municipalities, as well as Sakrebulo by-elections are being conducted at local majoritarian election districts of Sagarejo, Akhmeta, Adigeni, Zestaponi, Chiatura, Tkibuli, Tskaltubi and Ozurgeti municipalities. The first news briefing was held at the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Georgia. As Ana Mikeladze, CEC Spokesperson announced to the media, Election Administration (EA) is ready to professionally conduct elections in an accessible election environment. All election precincts were open for voters at 08:00 am and the polling process is ongoing. CEC Spokesperson noted that the next stage of the electronic vote counting pilot project is being conducted at eight election precincts in Tskaltubo and Tkibuli election districts. Voters using the new technologies are participating in elections without any obstacles. In case of necessity, members of the Precinct Election Commissions (PEC) are ready to help and provide each voter with additional instruction in the mentioned process. We would like to remind voters that they have to present identification document or passport of Georgian citizen at the polling station. Today, voters basically will receive one ballot paper. In Zestaponi and Chiatura, in those local majoritarian election districts where Extraordinary Mayoral Elections are being conducted along with Sakrebulo By-elections voters will receive two ballot papers. We would like to remind you that voting is secret. The voter makes his/her choice in the voting booth – stated Ana Mikeladze. According to the CEC Spokesperson, any voter who wants to verify the address of their election precinct may use the CEC website, which gives the opportunity to receive additional information online. The voter will be able to receive the mentioned information at the CEC Call Center, which operates starting at 07:00am. Online chat is also available. Today, elections are being monitored by a large number of local and international observer organizations’ observers, as well as media and election subject representatives that ensure transparency of the process itself. Hereby, we would like to remind you that according to the election legislation, today agitation is prohibited at the premises of the polling station. It is also prohibited to place pre-election paid or free advertisements on TV and radio broadcaster. In addition, it is forbidden to publish public opinion polls concerning elections until 20:00 evening today. Today, during the whole day, the EA regularly will update you on the polling process. News briefings will be held during the day at the CEC media center. We will also share voter turnout. Election Administration urges voters to actively participate in elections. We also call upon all electoral stakeholders to support conducting the elections in peaceful and accessible election environment, which will allow voters to freely express their will – stated Ana Mikeladze. source: IPN/ interpressnews.ge