Georgian PM highlights Government commitment to “free, fair” elections in meeting with OSCE-ODIHR observer mission

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday reaffirmed the Government's commitment to ensuring “free and fair” October 26 Parliamentary elections in a meeting with the observer mission of the Organisation for Security and Co-Operation in Europe Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.

During the exchange at the Government's Tbilisi office, the official stressed the Georgian Dream authorities were committed to “free and transparent” elections “like in previous years”, and noted both short and long-term missions from several authoritative international organisations had been invited to observe the electoral process, the Government press office said. 

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The official also reiterated his readiness for “open and active cooperation” with international observers and highlighted the electoral atmosphere was “free and competitive”, a sentiment he said had been echoed in the recent report published by the OSCE-ODIHR.

Pointing to “attempts by the domestic opposition to radicalise the political process”, Kobakhidze claimed the overall election processes were occurring “in a healthy environment”. 

The PM further highlighted the importance of an “objective assessment” from international observer missions and affirmed the Government was “fully committed” to transparency in observing the vote, which he pledged would be conducted “in a fair, free, and competitive manner”.