NDI, IRI call on all political parties to uphold democratic principles ahead of municipal elections

Expert teams of the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) are visiting Tbilisi in the run up to the October 2 self-government elections and are calling on ‘all political parties to uphold democratic principles by participating actively and in good faith during the elections and in the post-election period.’

If the parties genuinely commit themselves to constructive competition and dialogue rooted in citizen interests, Georgia can maintain its legitimate place among the region's democracies,” the statement of the IRI and NDI reads. 

• NDI launches long-term election mission for October 2 municipal elections in Georgia

The representatives of the organisations will meet with ruling party leaders as well as the opposition ‘to express support for electoral and political engagement based on democratic principles.’

They also will meet with both local and international observer organisations and the diplomatic community and will discuss Georgia’s future perspectives based on the ongoing election processes. 

The two Institutes’ expert teams will not issue statements before or after the elections. However, they will be informed by their respective teams of long-term analysts who, in parallel to the expert teams, are assessing the electoral process,” the statement reads. 

• European Parliament, OSCE/ODIHR to send observers for Georgia’s municipal elections

The NDI and IRI will publish their electoral assessment reports several weeks after the elections. 

A total of 71 local and 33 international organisations will observe the elections.

• NDI calls Georgia’s municipal elections ‘an opportunity,’ offers recommendations

Over 3.4 million citizens will be eligible to vote in the mayoral and local council elections. There are 241 mayoral and 2,845 local city council candidates running.