UN official evaluates Georgia’s pre-election and media environment

Niels Scott, head of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Georgia says up to this week Georgia had an "exemplary pre-election campaign” in all directions, including media coverage. 

Scott said the latest developments, referring to the explosion of an opposition United National Movement (UNM) member’s car in central Tbilisi this week, somehow changed the picture ahead of Saturday’s Parliamentary Elections. 

The United Nations (UN) official said this in the afternoon during a presentation of media monitoring outcomes financed by the European Union (EU) and implemented by UNDP. 

I use the chance and with the name of the United Nations condemn all  forms of violence,” Scott said of the incident, which left five members of the public injured. 

UNM member Givi Targamadze, who owned the car, and his driver were in the vehicle at the time of the explosion, they only suffered popped ears and minor contusions. 

Scott hoped Georgia would maintain its calm pre-election and election environment in the last few days before the election. He stressed media could play a key role in supporting a good election environment in the state.