Georgia's election administration accuses political figures of using Venice Commission opinion for “discreditation”

The Georgian Central Election Commission on Thursday accused unspecified domestic political actors of using the latest opinion by the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, which recommended the election of the CEC Chair and its members by two-thirds of the parliamentary majority, to “discredit” the body. 

The election administration claimed “various stakeholders” were attempting to interpret the Commission's conclusion “in ways that suit their own agenda”, and stressed discussions surrounding the legitimacy of the CEC had reignited “despite the absence of any related content” in the document. 

The CEC claimed those slamming the authorities for changing the election rules of the body’s staff in 2021 by making it possible by a simple majority in the legislative body had “ignored” other important topics raised in the recommendations. 

It said the sections included the necessity for clear criteria over dismissal of members appointed by parties in the election administration, and added “these criteria are intended to guarantee the real independence and impartiality of appointed members”. 

The CEC further noted all its professional members, including the Chair, were operating “within the bounds of the law”, and that the body’s activities had “continued without interruption, demonstrating a commitment to the ongoing modernisation of the electoral process”.

It stressed this year alone two by-elections had been conducted with “high professionalism” and the administration was “actively engaged in a comprehensive voter information campaign” and various educational projects ahead of the next year’s parliamentary elections. 

The body also highlighted the CEC leadership had recently participated in “significant and fruitful” meetings in the United States to strengthen cooperation with international partners, and that it had received three international awards at an international symposium, where it was recognised as the election administration of the year. 

This is just a snapshot of the numerous effective activities undertaken recently, underscoring the administration's focus on successfully conducting electronic elections [next year]”, the CEC said and urged domestic political actors to evaluate the election administration “solely based on its actions”. 

In its opinion published on Tuesday, the Venice Commission also called for modifying related draft amendments with respect to the term of office of the non-partisan members and Chair of the CEC to “ensure that appointments made on the basis of the anti-deadlock mechanism are significantly limited in time and cannot be prolonged”. 

It also urged for transferring the authority to nominate non-partisan members and Chair of back from the Speaker of the Parliament to the President of Georgia.