Germany to send 37 observers in the coming days to monitor Georgian parliamentary elections

Germany will send 37 observers for Georgia’s October 31 parliamentary elections in the coming days, while the rest will visit the country by the end of September, German Ambassador to Georgia Hubert Knirsch said in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) on September 17.

I hope Georgia will have a full ODIHR observation mission with more than 300 observers to monitor the parliamentary elections. These elections are very important as it follows the constitutional amendments that changed the electoral system in Georgia. Relatively small political parties have a better chance of being in parliament. All embassies are closely monitoring the election campaign and party activities”, said Knirsch.

Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani stated on September 17 that OSCE/ODIHR will send 350 short-term and 28 long-term observers for Georgia’s October 31 parliamentary elections.

Due to the pandemic, the NDI and IRI will observe the elections virtually, through ‘close cooperation’ with their local partner organisations.

Georgian Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze said at the end of August that the Georgian government is ready to charter flights to bring in international observers for the elections.

• OSCE/ODIHR to send 378 observers to monitor Georgian parliamentary elections
• Ruling party MP: int’l observers will be able to come to Georgia for elections, despite travel limitations

The upcoming elections will be held in a different manner – 120 seats in parliament will be distributed based on the votes received in proportional elections, while remaining 30 per the votes received in majoritarian elections.

Previously 77 seats in its 150-member parliament were allocated proportionally, under the party-list system, while the remaining 73 MPs were  elected in 73 single-mandate constituencies.