Election Commission says Presidential Administration’s claims “aim to discredit” election administration

The Georgian Central Election Commission on Friday said comments by the office of President Salome Zourabichvili on recent changes to the regulations on elections of Commission members aimed to “discredit” the body and link it with the ruling Georgian Dream party.

The Commission was commenting after the Parliamentary Secretary of the President said the amendments were “supported only by the ruling party [for it] to gain more votes” in the Commission.

In its response, the body said it was composed of 17 members, including eight “elected on professional grounds and nine appointed by political parties”.

“Decisions are made by the Commission where the ruling party has one member, while the remaining right parties represent various political unions. This composition indicates a high level of representation and inclusion”, it argued.

Therefore, there is no reason to say that the Commission is under the influence of any party, or is biassed, neither from the existing composition nor from the decisions made [for the changes]. Accordingly, such baseless assessments from the President's institution may serve the general narrative that we have been hearing against the election administration lately”, the statement noted.  

The statement claimed the President’s office had “chosen to discredit the election administration despite the cooperation” between the bodies and said the development marked a “departure from [the Presidential Administration’s] neutral role in the process”.

“It is unacceptable for a representative from the President’s Administration to discuss and even indirectly cast a doubt about the impartiality of professional members and the Chair without addressing the real issues identified by numerous international organisations. These issues, as documented, pertain specifically to the political bias of the CEC members appointed by political parties”, the body noted.

The statement also said “attempt to create misleading perceptions” was “unacceptable and difficult to comprehend” ahead of the parliamentary elections in October.