MEPs Marina Kaljurand, Sven Mikser and Viola von Cramon-Taubadel, who observed the October 2 local municipal elections in Georgia, have stated that the country held a competitive and well-organised first round of local elections ‘despite the extremely polarised political environment and challenging epidemiological situation.’
The electoral legal framework needs to be improved, taking into account pending recommendations by the @osce_odihr & the Venice Commission. EP remains ready to pursue its close cooperation with the ????????Parliament. @MarinaKaljurand @svenmikser @ViolavonCramon https://t.co/5IYZj5yt6G
— EP Democracy Support (@EP_DEG) October 5, 2021
The joint statement also reads that the recent elections in Georgia took place under ‘a substantially improved legal framework.’
Voters were given a genuine choice between a variety of political alternatives, the elections were generally well administered and the candidates were able to campaign freely,” the statement reads.
However, it also says that the pre-election environment did not provide equal opportunities for various political parties and candidates, noting that ‘main attention was diverted from local to national issues.’
Local #elections ????????: "These elections took place under a substantially improved legal framework. Voters were given a genuine choice between a variety of political alternatives, the elections were generally well administered and the candidates were able to campaign freely"
— EP Democracy Support (@EP_DEG) October 5, 2021
The campaign was characterised by a hardened polarisation of the political and media landscapes, which sometimes led to verbal or even physical confrontations. All too often, personal attacks prevailed over political debates, depriving voters of the ability to make an informed choice,” MEPs reported.
The statement notes that various violations took place during the electoral campaign such as misuse of public resources, intimidation against candidates and vote-buying.
It also says that the electoral legal framework ‘needs to be further improved in view of future elections’ in accordance with recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission.
MEPs Kaljurand, Mikser and Cramon-Taubadel call on the Georgian government and political parties to put the national interests above party interests and to abolish ‘the malpractices observed during the first round.’
A total of 1,024 foreign observers from 52 international organisations monitored the self-government election in Georgia including EP, OSCE/ODIHR and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.