The National Democratic Institute, a nongovernmental organization, Monday described the ongoing parliamentary elections campaign in Georgia as creating false perceptions and undermining public confidence in the elections slated for Oct. 1.

In a just-published interim report covering the period from Aug. 3 to Aug. 27., NDI, which is currently monitoring the elections in the South Caucasus country, said "The polarization between the ruling United National Movement and the (opposition) Georgian Dream bloc, the two largest electoral subjects, is escalating as a result of rhetoric characterizing each other as a fundamental threat to either a sovereign or a democratic Georgia."

"This rhetoric is compounded by the actions of both groups, creating false perceptions and undermining public confidence in the elections, NDI said.

The U.S. institution deems that the ruling party has the obligation to impartially enforce fair electoral laws and that the opposition parties to adhere to these laws.

"Both sides, at times, appear to be avoiding these responsibilities in their respective attempts to gain political advantage," the interim report added.

NDI proposed that both sides "contain animosities and prevent violence."

With three analysts, the NDI observation mission visited 24 Georgian districts and conducted over 120 meetings with government and election officials, representatives of political parties, from civil society and the media institution.

The NDI international monitoring mission in Georgia is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development.