Int’l organisations release preliminary evaluations of Georgian presidential elections
International organisations stated that violations observed on election day could not have a significant influence on election results. Photo: N.Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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The Organisation for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE) and its office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) have released their preliminary assessments about the 28 October presidential elections in Georgia.
OSCE/ ODIHR says in its report that the election was competitive and professionally organised.
Candidates were able to campaign freely and voters had genuine choice, although there were instances of misuse of administrative resources, and senior state officials from the ruling party were involved in the campaign.
Substantial imbalance in donations and excessively high spending limits further contributed to an uneven playing field,” OSCE/ODIHR reported.
OSCE/ODIHR states that despite these issues, election day proceeded “in a professional, orderly and transparent manner”.
PACE stated that the election environment in Georgia was free and transparent and that the voting process was well-organised.
However, PACE observers mentioned incidents when opposition candidates abused time allotted them for free election ads.
They also reported that much money was spent on the elections which was surprising given the country’s economic condition.
NDI stated that the pre-election period was marked by both positive and negative features. It stated that the Central Election Commission (CEC) carried out preparations efficiently and met its deadlines, although it was confronted with concerns about the neutrality of its officials.
Voters had electoral choices and the campaign was lively and dynamic, although filled with vitriol and personal attacks. The media environment, although polarised, offered citizens a variety of viewpoints,” the NDI says.
The NDI stated that campaigns and the media should refrain from threatening rhetoric and personal attacks focusing instead on candidates’ platforms and visions for the presidency.
The presidential candidate of ten opposition parties Grigol Vashadze, who came second in the presidential race based on the current data of the Central Election Commission, says that it is no time for euphoria as the second round of the elections is still ahead.
3,689 of a total of 3,705 polling stations have been counted: the ruling Georgian Dream party supported independent candidate Salome Zurabishvili received 38.6 per cent of the vote and the presidential candidate of ten opposition parties, Grigol Vashadze, received 37.7 per cent.
The Georgian Dream ruling party, the European Georgia opposition party and Rustavi 2 private broadcaster have released the results of exit polls they have conducted. The exit poll results were announced as soon as all polling stations in Georgia were closed at 8 pm.
Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Natia Mezvrishvili has held a briefing where she reported on the election process and incidents in or near polling stations.
"We received a clear message about our mistakes from our people, as well as about the expectations they have towards us regarding concrete challenges, the challenges which bother them and their families. We have seen much from the elections, we have seen that many things need to be changed in the shortest terms,” Bakhtadze said.
The Georgian Central Election Commission (CEC) has ended the counting process of votes for the 28 October presidential elections.The votes of all 3,705 polling stations have been counted and the results mean that a runoff will be held no later than 2 October between the top two candidates-Zurabishvili and Vashadze.
The number of Georgians who have registered at Georgian embassies and consulates abroad in order to vote during the presidential election has reached 1,400, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said today.
The second round of Georgia’s presidential elections will be held on November 28, according to the decision of the Central Election Commission which was announced today.
PM Bakhtadze says that the second round of the presidential elections will be held in accordance with the ‘highest standards’. Bakhtadze’s response followed the assessment of the former President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Rasa Jukneviciene.
Minister of Internal Affairs Giorgi Gakharia guarantees that the runoff elections will be held in a peaceful environment.