Georgian PM highlights involvement of int’l observers at upcoming parliamentary elections
Kobakhidze emphasised the importance of the elections as a “decisive referendum” that would determine whether the country would “maintain peace” or the “War Party”, a reference used by Government officials to describe the opposition United National Movement party, would be able to open a “second front” in Georgia amid the ongoing Russian military aggression in Ukraine. Photo: Georgian Dream/Archive
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Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, who leads the electoral office of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Wednesday highlighted the importance of involvement of “as many international observers as possible” at the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for October 26.
Kobakhidze claimed the “reputation” of domestic observation organisations had been “completely damaged”, adding the long-term observation mission of the Organisation for Security and Co-Operation in Europe Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights would arrive in Georgia for the elections.
He cited the 2020 vote, when he claimed the parallel vote tabulation was “forged”, “false information” about the Central Election Commission of Georgia being late in publishing election results released, and “fake assessments” produced by “several domestic observers”.
He noted the country’s Foreign Ministry in February addressed the OSCE/ODIHR with an invitation to send observers for the elections in the country, adding the Government would ensure arrival of several other “important international missions”.
In this regard, our policy is absolutely open - on the contrary, the more the merrier. This is our approach and attitude. Emphasis will be placed on essentially international, foreign observers”, he added.
The official also said the election campaign was being conducted in a “peaceful environment, with “no more or less serious violations or incidents detected”, adding the ruling party would “do everything” to ensure the continuation of the circumstance.
Kobakhidze emphasised the importance of the elections as a “decisive referendum” that would determine whether the country would “maintain peace” or the "Global War Party", in reference to unspecified political forces in the West, would be able to open a “second front” in Georgia amid the ongoing Russian military aggression in Ukraine.