Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

More than 1,500 Georgian soldiers, participating in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan, have already cast vote in the presidential elections, which are set for October 27, the Georgian Defense Ministry reported on October 21.

Georgia's Central Election Commission with the assistance of the Defense Ministry created two special polling stations for the Georgian contingent in Afghanistan at the U.S. and Georgian military bases in Helmand province.

"The electoral process took place in a quiet environment. Members of the Central Election Commission of Georgia, representatives of various political parties and non-governmental Fair Elections organization watched the electoral process," the ministry reported.

Georgia as a significant contributor to the Euro-Atlantic security is closely involved in NATO-led operations and its contribution to the ISAF operation in Afghanistan is of significant importance. Presently Georgia is the second largest troop contributor to Afghanistan among the non-NATO states.

Presidential elections in Georgia will be held in 9 days, on October 27.

It will be the sixth presidential election after Georgia regained independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991. Incumbent Mikheil Saakashvili cannot re-run because of the two-term limit in the constitution.