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Stories related to democracy and electoral processes. 

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US Helsinki Commission assesses political situation in South Caucasus

US Helsinki Commission assesses political situation in South Caucasus

The US Helsinki Commission on Tuesday (1 October) published an analysis of Russia's political and economic agenda. The document addresses, among other things, various developments in the South Caucasus. The region is experiencing various political shifts as Russia's material influence wanes due to its focus on its war with Ukraine. On the one hand. Armenia was once one of Russia's strongest allies. However, following the Nagorno Karabakh war in 2020, Armenia has moved away from Moscow and more towards a Western agenda. On the other hand, Azerbaijan has adopted a cooperative approach with Russia, especially given the similarities between the two countries' strong governmental grip.   

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Georgia Elections: Beginning of the end or the end of the beginning?

Georgia Elections: Beginning of the end or the end of the beginning?

Georgians are voting today in the second round of local elections to choose Mayors and local Councillors in a number of key cities where the first round of voting, held on 2 October was inconclusive. The total number of voters eligible to vote in the second round is 2,088,722 - around half of which in the capital, Tbilisi. Georgians appear to be tired of the non stop polorised politics that has dominated public life in recent years, but it is unlikely that the elections will bring a closure to the huge divide within Georgian society.
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Thousands rally in Tbilisi in support of governing party ahead of key elections

Thousands rally in Tbilisi in support of governing party ahead of key elections

The political situation in Georgia had been building up to a crisis for some time, and the situation became more tense following the return to the country of former president Mikheil Saakashvili, who had earlier been sentenced to several terms of imprisonment for crimes committed during his term of office. Saakashvili was duly arrested and has since gone on hunger strike.
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Commentary: What next for Mirziyoyev and for Uzbekistan?

Commentary: What next for Mirziyoyev and for Uzbekistan?

Uzbek president Shovkat Mirzyoyev, re-elected for a second term on Sunday said there is no going back for his country. However it is not clear yet if Uzbekistan is slowly but surely moving out of its autocratic past into a pluralistic political process, because there are contradictory signs.
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Libya’s elections chief says the country is ready for December poll

Libya’s elections chief says the country is ready for December poll

Imed al-Sayeh, head of Libya’s High National Elections Commission (HNEC), said that the country is “80 or 90 per cent ready” for the presidential, parliamentary elections. In additions, Libya's joint military commission (5+5) announced that it has prepared and approved an action plan to gradually, balanced and simultaneously remove all mercenaries and foreign fighters from the country. 
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Qatar holds its first ever legislative elections

Qatar holds its first ever legislative elections

Qatar has concluded its first-ever elections for the Shura Council – a consultative assembly that helps the Emir draft legislature, monitor the ministerial performance and approve the national budget. Qataris voted for 30 members out of the 45 seat council. The other 15 members will be chosen directly by the Emir. 
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Georgia divided: results from local elections show the country split in half between government and opposition

Georgia divided: results from local elections show the country split in half between government and opposition

Results are coming in from local elections held in Georgia on Saturday, 2 October and it appears that the country is split in half between those supporting the ruling Georgian Dream party and others supporting opposition parties. Elections will have to go to a second round because none of the contestants secured the necessary 50% in the Mayoral elections five self-governing major cities: Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, Poti and Rustavi.
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Georgian elections overshadowed by arrest of former president

Georgian elections overshadowed by arrest of former president

Georgians are voting on Saturday (2 October) in local elections to elect 64 mayors and city councils, including the capital, Tbilisi. There are 3,513,884 voters. The vote is being seen as an expression of confidence or otherwise in the ruling Georgian Dream (GD)government that has been in power in Georgia since 2012.