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  • Approved for CNN

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    Posted October 1, 2012 by
    DerJon
    Location
    Georgia
    Assignment
    Assignment
    This iReport is part of an assignment:
    Breaking news

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    Parliamentary Elections in the Republic of Georgia

    By DerJon  |  Posted October 1, 2012  |  Georgia
     

    CNN PRODUCER NOTE     iReporter Jonathan Hackett, an American teacher, captured these images and video of locals in the Georgian province of Imereti casting their vote in the country's parliamentary elections. Our iReporter says voting has been peaceful: "People here are so excited to be voting and talking freely about politics. It's just a great atmosphere!" he said. The number '5' you see dotted around in various images refers to the UNM party of Mikheil Saakashvili, the current president who is battling a political alliance led by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili.The UNM party is popular in the local area, but both sides, our iReporter says, have largely avoided each other, hence a lack of brawls or clashes on election day in the area.
    - sarahbrowngb, CNN iReport producer

    I am an American German teacher here living in the village of Geguti in the Republic of Georgia. Today is the parliamentary election day. President Saakashvili's United National Party is up against (among others) the Georgian Dream Coalition, led by Ivanishvili.

    I talked with a few of the voters on their way out of the Geguti's Culture House, where the polling place is located, and it seems a number of the older voters are voting number 5, the United National Party. On a trip into Kutaisi, Georgia's second largest city, on Saturday the city seemed over run with Georgian Dream (#41) supporters in the streets, driving fast, waving flags and generally just trying to "make some noise".

    So far, things are peaceful, especially here in the village, and all polls across the country have opened on time. This is the first real opposition Saakashvili, in his last term as president, has had since the 2003 Rose Revolution. Turn out is impressive, with many people even dressing up to vote. Schools are closed, and many workers have off to make sure they are able to take part in the elections. Everyone is optimistic and excited to have their voices be heard. Tomorrow, the results should be reported.

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