NDI Georgia Election Watch: foundations for democratic elections in place, challenges remain

Foundations for democratic elections are in place in Georgia for the upcoming voting for the parliament in October, however challenges in public confidence in the process remain, a pre-election environment report from the National Democratic Institute non-governmental organisation says.

The report, released as Georgia Election Watch, outlines both conditions supporting a robust and credible election process and circumstances creating issues ahead of the opening of polling stations this fall.

The foundations for democratic elections are in place, yet without some demonstrable improvements, a pattern of declining public confidence will continue.

What is needed is the political will to place the integrity of the process over partisan interests," NDI President Derek Mitchell said while commenting on the report.

Issues related to the electoral system, campaigning by parties, the role of media, inclusion and the effects of this year's pandemic are some of the aspects the report goes into in its analysis of the circumstances preceding the elections.

[A]lmost 30 years into independence, Georgia has proved its technical capacity to conduct credible elections [...] Yet persistent issues related to electoral integrity have remained unaddressed, fueling polarization and detracting from public confidence in election outcomes," the NDI release says.

Among the challenges listed in the report are "lax or biased law enforcement", "abuses of state resources and prosecutorial authorities" and polarising environment among candidates and parties during the campaign season.

The authors of the inquiry have said in their findings "leaders and political actors" in Georgia will need to "take the steps necessary to ensure a fair, transparent and inclusive process" in two months' time.