‘Free and fair’ – international observers on Georgia’s Parliamentary Elections

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.