Parliament Speaker: authorities “expecting everyone, including EU”, will “rely on OSCE/ODIHR findings” on elections

Shalva Papuashvili, the Georgian Parliament Speaker, on Thursday urged “foreign actors”, including the European Union, to “uphold their previous pledges” and base their assessments of Saturday’s general elections in Georgia on the findings of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe for Human Rights and Democracy.

In a briefing at the ruling Georgian Dream party office, the official noted “some European politicians may be overlooking the findings of this authoritative report in favour of assessments from local non-governmental organisations”, which he claimed are “affiliated with domestic opposition groups”.

The OSCE/ODIHR clearly stated that the elections were legitimate and that Georgia has an elected government”, the Speaker continued. “This is a clear report and conclusion of the OSCE/ODIHR, and our expectation is that all EU members will be committed to these conclusions”. 

Georgia has an elected government that remains committed to caring for its people. Therefore, I call on everyone, including EU representatives and others, to adhere to the OSCE/ODIHR report and stick to their previous pledges [to rely on the specific report]", Papuashvili stressed. 

He further asserted the report had highlighted President Salome Zourabichvili’s alleged use of administrative resources for electoral purposes, adding this “significant detail” had  not been reflected in assessments provided by domestic  monitoring organisations. 

The domestic monitoring organisations are tied to the opposition and therefore do not reveal their complicity in the violations”, he claimed.

Reflecting on “recent discussions” with OSCE representatives, Papuashvili claimed the ruling party had “sought clarity on various alleged violations”, particularly concerning accusations of bribery and administrative pressure. 

He noted the OSCE/ODIHR had recorded “not a single instance of bribery” despite deploying over 300 observers across the country during the election period. “The OSCE/ODIHR had a long-term mission and found no evidence of bribery”, the Speaker reiterated.

Regarding claims of pressure exerted during the elections, Papuashvili said the OSCE/ODIHR had cited use of cameras in polling stations as a “focal point of contention”. He defended this practice, noting that cameras had been a “legal and standard feature of elections” for over a decade and that “even the opposition requested them during the 2021 elections”.

Responding to claims on voter mobilisation by the ruling party, Papuashvili claimed it was “legal” and outlined the party's strategy, which he said included “door-to-door outreach to identify supporters and encourage them to vote on election day”.

Our coordinators mobilise voters every election day. This is a fundamental aspect of our party's work, which is validated by international standards and implemented globally”. 

Related context, he cited the upcoming elections in the United States as an example of “effective voter mobilisation”, also noting  efforts of local groups during previous and recent Georgian elections held abroad.

He stressed such activities were “legal and permitted under current laws”. However, he criticised the domestic civic movement  Shame for hiring five buses to transport voters on election day. 

Pointing to the organisation’s foreign funding, Papuashvili stressed “this is not the role of EU funds. It is inappropriate for them to bus voters from polling station to polling station”. 

Donors whose money was spent on these buses to transport voters have to answer”, he said. 

Addressing concerns raised by the OSCE/ODIHR regarding  involvement of mayors in election campaigns, Papuashvili defended their participation. 

Mayors are elected political officials, not administrative resources. Their involvement is essential, just like that of ministers and parliamentary leaders. We cannot expect a successful campaign without their engagement”, he argued, adding "mayors are politically elected officials, similar to ministers, the chairman of the parliament, and the prime minister. Therefore, this role should be viewed as a political resource rather than an administrative one. Should there be a campaign that does not involve the Prime Minister?"

Papuashvili highlighted “neither the President nor domestic opposition groups have been able to present evidence supporting their allegations of electoral fraud”.

The Speaker further claimed the President had “become internationally known for her claims, yet she fails to provide any evidence to support them”.

Recently, even some foreign colleagues have noted her destructive actions on the international stage”, he alleged, and referenced Zourabichvili's comments during a recent interview with The Associated Press, in which she claimed that a “carousel method was employed to manipulate elections”, allegedly allowing individuals to vote multiple times with a single identification card.

“She said that each vote had been cast 17 times with one ID. Why 17? Why not 16 or 19?”, Papuashvili questioned, insisting that the President should “either retract her statements as mere gossip or provide concrete evidence”.

Papuashvili also addressed allegations by domestic groups that the ruling party may have received assistance from Russian special services in the vote, calling them “irresponsible”.