US Senators Risch, Shaheen on Georgian elections: it’s important all parties respect int’l standards for free, fair electrons
The US senators said that Georgia has many international supporters and is vital to the region.
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US Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Jim Risch and Senator Jeanne Shaheen have made a joint statement ahead of the October 31 parliamentary elections in Georgia, noting the importance for all political parties in the country to respect and abide by international standards for a free and fair electoral process.
Since we travelled together to observe Georgia’s 2012 parliamentary elections, we have watched democracy deepen and the economy grow. As Georgians prepare to vote in this weekend’s parliamentary elections, it is important that all parties respect and abide by international standards for a free and fair electoral process, and maintain the integrity of the ballot box”, said the senators.
They stated that the constitutional reforms made earlier this year to the electoral system ‘were an important step forward in strengthening Georgia’s democratic legitimacy’.
As Georgians prepare to vote in this weekend’s parliamentary elections, it's important all parties respect & abide by int’l standards for a free & fair electoral process. @SenatorShaheen & I continue to support the people of #Georgia as friends & partners. https://t.co/EXT6uBXpsm
— U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (@SenateForeign) October 29, 2020
The good conduct of these upcoming elections will further consolidate those gains and demonstrate the Georgian people’s continued desire to pursue Euro-Atlantic integration,” they stated.
The senators said that despite the pandemic a large number of international observers will be present in Georgia for the elections.
To that end, it is imperative that the Russian Federation not interfere in Georgia’s elections. An independent and democratic Georgia has many international supporters and is vital to the region. We continue to support the Georgian people as friends and partners, and wish them a free, fair, and credible election,” said the senators.
On Saturday Georgians will elect the country’s 10th national legislature since independence from the Soviet Union back in 1991.