‘Free and fair’ – international observers on Georgia’s Parliamentary Elections
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International observers are positively assessing Georgia’s Parliamentary Elections, saying it was "free” and "fair”.
A group of observers form the Organisation for Democracy and Economic Development – GUAM – said the Parliamentary Elections in Georgia yesterday were held in accordance with international commitments and standards for democratic elections.
The GUAM group of observers does not have particular remarks. Elections were held under the conditions of competition and could be described as free and fair,” said the observers at a press conference today.
They added the October 8 elections met standards set by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and Council of Europe, as well as national laws and the rules and procedures established by the Central Election Commission of Georgia (CEC).
The 8 October Parliamentary Elections were monitored by the GUAM observation group, led by MP Ali Masimli from Azerbaijan, as well as Ivan Krulko, Yaroslav Markevich and Alexander Chernenko from the Supreme Rada of Ukraine.
The monitoring group also included GUAM Secretary General Altai Efendiyev. They observed the election process at several polling stations in Tbilisi, Mtskheta and Tserovani.
GUAM is a regional organisation of four post-Soviet states: Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Moldova, that focused on promoting democratic values, ensuring stable development, enhancing international and regional security and stepping up European integration.
The election environment in Georgia, throughout the pre-election campaign and on Election Day itself, was generally peaceful and constructive, says the country's President Giorgi Margvelashvili.
Georgian Dream leads party lists
Two thirds of votes have been counted by the Central Election Commission following yesterday's Parliamentary Elections in Georgia. Two parties were well supported but a third may also overcome the five percent threshold for entering Parliament.
International observers monitoring yesterday's Parliamentary Elections in Georgia will present their preliminary post-election findings this afternoon in capital Tbilisi.
Latest preliminary nationwide results show two leading parties, but possibly the most interesting data is on the third party, which is currently on the edge to overcome the 5 percent threshold for entering Parliament.
Georgia’s Central Election Commission (CEC) has counted 82.55 percent of all votes countrywide. For the majoritarian results, it is believed a second round of vote will be needed at 50 of 73 districts countrywide.
International Republican Institute (IRI) says yesterday's Parliamentary Elections in Georgia was carried out in peaceful environment and reflected the will of the Georgian voters.
The October 8 Parliamentary Elections in Georgia were competitive, well-administered and fundamental freedoms were generally respected, says the OSCE election observer mission.
Following a vibrant and competitive campaign, citizens of Georgia were able to cast their votes freely and, in most places, vote counting happened in a calm and orderly manner, says a leading international observer mission.
Two European Union (EU) top officials say the 2016 Parliamentary Elections in Georgia were "competitive, well-administered and fundamental freedoms were generally respected”.
"The UK aligns itself with the assessment of the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights – and other international monitoring missions – that these elections were competitive, well-administered and generally respectful of the fundamental rights of the people of Georgia,” read the official statement of Sir Alan Duncan today.
Monitoring groups and thousands of international observers have confirmed the October 8 Parliamentary Elections in Georgia expressed the will of the Georgian people and reaffirmed the country's democratic credentials.
The European Union (EU) welcomed the October 8 Parliamentary Elections in Georgia, saying they held in a "generally peaceful and orderly way.”
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) will honor Tamar Zhvania, chairwoman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Georgia, with its 2017 Joe C. Baxter Award.