Georgian PM thanks OSCE/ODIHR for “properly assessing” October’s parliamentary elections

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday thanked the Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights for “properly assessing” Georgia’s parliamentary elections held in October, “despite attacks from domestic opposition”.

Kobakhidze noted the recent report of the OSCE/ODIHR published on Friday “essentially repeats” the preliminary conclusions released by the organisation “immediately after the elections”.

The PM said it was important for the Georgian Government that the OSCE/ODIHR expressed its readiness to cooperate with the elected authorities of the country to “further improve the electoral environment and procedures”.

It is clear from the OSCE/ODIHR conclusion that the elections were free and competitive. This can be seen from the overall content of the OSCE/ODIHR conclusion”, the PM said.

First of all it states the legislation as a whole provided an adequate framework for the conduct of democratic elections. Party registration was carried out properly and the elections offered voters a wide choice. Electoral subjects were able to campaign freely and the media was diverse”, he said regarding the OSCE/ODIHR report.

The election preparation process was well-administered and the electoral administration effectively managed the technical aspects of the vote. Election day itself was generally well organised and managed, and legislation ensured active observation of both citizens and foreign observers”, he added regarding the OSCE/ODIHR report.

The head of the Government also expressed his Office’s readiness to “discuss everything” regarding both legislation, practice and technical support, and “wherever possible take into account all recommendations”.

He also introduced the results of a sociological survey conducted at the Government’s request to assess public opinion on the parliamentary elections, which showed 53.4 percent of respondents “positively evaluated” the elections.

The question was asked about how fairly the parliamentary elections were held in Georgia. 45.5 percent of respondents stated that the elections were fair, while 7.9 percent reported minor violations. In total, 53.4 percent of respondents gave a positive assessment. On the other hand, 4.4 percent considered the elections to have significant violations, and 19.6 percent  viewed them as unfair, which accounts for 24 percent of negative responses. 22.6 percent found it difficult to answer”, he said.

The second question focused on the acceptability of the election results to respondents personally. 44.7 percent of respondents found the results acceptable, and 6.5 percent considered them mostly acceptable, bringing the total to 51.2 percent. Conversely, 3.9 percent found the results mostly unacceptable, and 22.8 percent deemed them unacceptable, resulting in a total of 26.7 percent negative responses. Again, 22.1 percent were unsure”, he added.

The PM emphasised “both the OSCE/ODIHR and Georgian society recognised the legitimacy of the elections”, which was the “main thing”, and noted the “first to legitimise the elections is the Georgian people”, the people who voted for the ruling Georgian Dream party that received 54 percent of votes.