NDI: Despite minor violations, most Georgians voted freely

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.

This was how a delegation from the National Democratic Institute (NDI) in the United Sttes (US) observing Georgia’s October 8 Parliamentary Elections assessed yesterday’s vote.

On a day that started smoothly, the vast majority of Georgian voters, poll workers, party activists, and candidates demonstrated their commitment to democracy by participating peacefully in the election process,” NDI said in a statement released today.

The organisation added that on Election Day NDI observed a voting process that included minor violations but polling station officials largely worked diligently over long hours to organise and execute proper election procedures.

However, as the evening progressed, the situation deteriorated in some areas. In several precincts, the counting process was disrupted by clashes at polling stations and a demonstration outside the Central Election Commission overnight,” NDI said.

The observers said the clashes detracted from the democratic contributions of the many Georgians who had voted and administered polling stations in good faith earlier in the day. 

NDI also said with the exception of some districts where the counting was particularly problematic, the issues did not appear to interfere with the national outcome though they may affect some majoritarian races.

What does NDI recommend?  

The mission stressed national election results confirmed as valid by credible observers should be accepted. Political parties should document any grievances and complaints and seek redress through established legal complaint mechanisms.

"It will now be incumbent upon all government officials, election administrators, parties, candidates, and NGOs to allay tensions. All sides should refrain from further violence,” said NDI.

The CEC should immediately address the irregularities in and disruption of the counting to determine, where needed, the possibility of recounts or reruns, particularly in those majoritarian races where the outcome could be affected."

Who were in the high-level NDI mission?

Members of the NDI delegation, which included former ambassadors and parliamentarians, representatives of non-governmental organisations, and regional specialists from 11 countries, visited more than 80 polling stations in ten regions across Georgia yesterday to observe the Parliamentary Elections.

The delegation comprised of: Ted Kaufman, former US senator from Delaware and NDI board member; Sam Gejdenson, former US representative from Connecticut and NDI board member; Janusz Onyskiewicz, former Polish minister of defence and former vice president of the European Parliament; Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck, a Belgian state minister and former member of the European Parliament; Laura Jewett, NDI’s regional director for Eurasia; and Laura Thornton, senior director of the National Democratic Institute’s office in Tbilisi.