EU spokesperson: it is important to ensure fair, transparent electoral process during second round
The statement reads that during the second round as well it is important to ensure the highest democratic standards, fair, transparent electoral process. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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The spokesperson of the EU External Action Service has released a statement on the first round of the 2020 parliamentary elections held in Georgia on October 31 'under a revised electoral system and with high voter turnout, despite the challenging context of the Covid-19 pandemic'.
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According to the joint statement of preliminary findings and conclusions of the international observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the Parliamentary Assemblies of the OSCE, Council of Europe and NATO, the elections were competitive and, overall, fundamental freedoms were respected", reads the statement.
Spokesperson Nabila Massrali poster on her Twitter account:
Georgia elections ????????: Highest democratic standards must be upheld throughout entire electoral process incl. all complaints/appeals.
— Nabila Massrali (@NabilaEUspox) November 1, 2020
Important that all parties continue to adhere to democratic principles/standards & respect for human rights.
???????? statement: https://t.co/XSm3PGrNZb https://t.co/huqj5jAmEe
The statement says that observers noted that the conduct of the elections was impacted by pervasive allegations of pressure on voters and blurring of the line between the ruling party and the state throughout the campaign and on election day, reducing public confidence in some aspects of the process.
The statement reads that during the second round as well it is important to ensure the highest democratic standards, fair, transparent electoral process.
It is important that all parties continue to adhere to democratic principles and standards and respect for human rights. Ensuring conditions for a free and pluralistic media environment is extremely important including to allow voters to make a fully informed choice. The European Union will remain very attentive to developments during the remainder of the electoral period and in particular on the day of the second round", the statement notes.
The second round of parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held on November 21.
For more information about the parliamentary elections of Georgia click here.
The Georgian Central Election Commission (CEC) has counted all votes cast in Saturday’s parliamentary elections. Nine parties have crossed the one per cent threshold to make it into the 150-member parliament per the proportional electoral system (120 seats in the legislative body). In the majoritarian elections the ruling Georgian Dream candidates has won 14 of 30 majoritarian constituences. A run-off will be held in 16 majoritarian constituencies on November 21, where the ruling Georgian Dream candidates won the race in 15 (of 16) constituencies, however, they were unable to receive at least 51% of total votes.
MEPs on EU-Georgia relations from the European Parliament have congratulated Georgia, 'a key ally of the EU', on 'successfully' organising the first round of the parliamentary elections held on October 31 in Georgia despite ‘the difficult epidemiological context'.
Unanimous in their demands for repeat elections, the parties which have overcame the mandatory 1% threshold, including the United National Movement, Euroepan Georgia, Strategy Aghmashenebeli, Lelo for Georgia, Labour Party and Girchi, accuse the CEC of falsifying elections on behalf of the ruling party.
A number of foreign dignitaries have assessed Georgia's parliamentary elections of October 31, which were held against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius said his country is ready to continue supporting Georgia's Euro-Atlantic path.