Int’l observers highlight “democratic”, “fair” Georgian parliamentary elections in post-election conference

International observers on Sunday held a conference in Georgia’s capital of Tbilisi to describe Saturday’s parliamentary elections in the country as  “democratic”, “peaceful” and “fair”, and assess them as a “significant step toward European political family” for Georgia.

Ryszard Henryk Czarnecki, a Polish politician, congratulated the Georgian public by saying the “elections held yesterday were an important step towards the European political family, the European Union, because in spite of many differences between political parties, all parties have confirmed their support for the country's integration into the European Union”.

He also added the “election was peaceful and mainly fair”, with an increased number of eligible voters compared to previous years.

I saw so many people in a queue to vote. I see Georgia enjoys democracy. Voter turnout was very good. If you compare those numbers to some western countries, Georgia looks better”. He pointed out.

The number of voters has also increased compared to the previous years. This is a good message for people coming from the EU member states. This means that Georgian people are involved in politics and want to influence political life”, he said.

Czarnecki also added “the most important thing for Georgia is stability and interest in the Western world. The European Union’s wish too is close relations with Georgia.”

Luke Uribe-Etxebarria, an international observer and Senator from Spain, highlighted “peaceful” settings of the election where “Georgian citizens could vote freely with a reliable vote counting system”.

It is true we have witnessed sad pictures. It is essential to conduct an investigation”, he said in reference to verbal and physical abuse at several polling stations across the country. 

In general, yesterday’s Election Day went mainly in a democratic, peaceful and free conditions […] We wish Georgia a democratic, peaceful, stable and European future, for which the European Union must also act with responsibility”, he concluded.

François Gicquel, an election monitor, highlighted the mission of his visit to the country to evaluate the election process, adding he  saw an “exemplary preparation from Georgia on October 26”. 

Yesterday we saw eight election precincts, observed the process. Outside the station, there were people talking and this is a democratic process, we cannot consider it as tension. People could express their opinion clearly. The electoral process was liberal to express their vote freely”, he pointed out.

The ruling Georgian Dream party has secured 54 percent of the vote in the elections according to the latest data by the country’s Central Election Commission.