The International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) says that it is ready to lend support to election commission member of Kutaisi No. 90 polling station Iza Chirgadze, who said last week that she was forced by ruling Georgian Dream party representatives to give ballot papers to unregistered voters on the election day on Saturday.
ISFED stated that they are ready to provide legal assistance to Chirgadze if necessary. However, they say that Chirgadze’s phone is switched off, allegedly due to pressure on her from state agencies.
Law enforcement agencies are fully responsible to ensure a safe and pressure-free environment for Chirgadze and her family,” ISFED said.
Law enforcement agencies are fully responsible for ensuring safe and pressure-free environment for Chirgadze and her family. Since this morning, Iza Chirgaze’s phone is off and it is impossible to contact her. https://t.co/Dfw2QIlSwV#Gvote21 #Gvote2021
— ISFED (@isfed_official) November 2, 2021
The Girchi - More Freedom opposition party had asked ISFED to offer their support to Chirgadze after she accused the GD of rigging the elections.
ISFED has cited the opposition candidate for Kutaisi vice-mayor from Girchi - More Freedom party, Imeda Kldiashvili, as saying that after Chirgadze told journalists about the alleged violation, the State Security Service contacted her on November 1 and demanded she cease communications with opposition representatives and media outlets.
ISFED has called on law enforcement agencies to look into the incident.