Georgia, Tbilisi, Oct.1 / Trend, N.Kirtskhalia /
The Georgian Interior Ministry issued a statement a few hours before the start of voting in the parliamentary elections claiming that a "mass distribution of money" to voters is being observed in the regions.
'The Georgian Interior Ministry has been informed about the alleged bribery. According to the report, those handing out the money act on behalf of a particular political entity. Police are checking this information,' the statement says.
The Interior Ministry calls on all the political parties participating in the elections, to control representatives of their parties to prevent a gross violation of the law.
'Given the fact that parliamentary elections are held on Oct.1, the police have refrained from calling party members in for interrogation', the statement says.
Parliamentary elections are underway in Georgia, where 14 parties and two political blocks are participating.
In 2013, after amendments to the Constitution take effect, Parliament will receive more authority and the rights of the head of state will be curtailed.
The elections will be declared valid if the number of voters are at least one third of the total number of voters.