EU on election run-offs: well-run, competitive, polarized but serious issues persist
The EU says that shortcomings reported during the first round of Georgian municipal elections have not been addressed and re-emerged during the run-offs. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
Tweet 
Share
The EU delegation to Georgia says that the October 30 municipal election run-offs in Georgia were generally well administered, the campaign was competitive, but that serious issues persist with an escalation of ‘negative rhetoric, persistent allegations of intimidation and pressure on voters and sharp imbalances in resources, which benefited the ruling party and tilted the playing field.’
The EU says that the elections were a ‘missed opportunity’ to address the shortcomings reported during the first round of the elections on October 2.
On the contrary, further shortcomings have emerged, especially in terms of misuse of administrative resources and violent rhetoric by Georgia’s political leaders, further fuelling an already deep political polarisation,” said the statement.
The EU has called on all parties to stay engaged in the electoral process, stating that the public trust in its integrity requires an ‘inclusive, credible and transparent’ recount process and ‘fair adjudication’ of complaints and appeals.
The Ambassador of the EU in Georgia, in coordination with EU Heads of Mission, issues the following comments on 31 October 2021, after the second round of the 2021 local elections in Georgia https://t.co/1iovNXJhLK pic.twitter.com/KIzfTf0BCC
— Carl Hartzell (@CarlHartzellEU) October 31, 2021
In this regard, the Central Election Commission and the courts have a key responsibility in the days ahead,” said the EU.
The EU delegation expressed hope that genuine efforts will be made by Georgian leaders to build a political climate conducive to meeting the expectations of the citizens of the country.
The ruling Georgian Dream party has won 63 of 64 mayoral constituencies in the first and second round of the elections and received 47% of the vote in the proportional part of the race.
The United National Movement and other opposition parties say that the elections were ‘fabricated’ and announced rallies in regions and a large-rally in capital Tbilisi on November 6 to demand the annulment of the election results.