The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has published its interim report on the pre-election environment in Georgia ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for October 26. Archil Gorduladze, a member of the parliamentary majority, praised the OSCE/ODIHR’s evaluation, calling it a positive reflection of the progress Georgia has made in organizing free and fair elections.
“The OSCE/ODIHR’s assessment of the pre-election environment in Georgia is to be welcomed,” Gorduladze stated, responding to the report. He emphasized that the public can see the pre-election campaign unfolding in an “unprecedentedly calm, free, and competitive environment,” with no major incidents or significant violations. The few violations that have occurred are described as isolated incidents, according to the report.
Gorduladze credited the government’s firm stance and implemented reforms for ensuring that the election process is free from systemic issues such as violence, vote-buying, or the illegal use of administrative resources. He also highlighted the report’s praise for the Central Election Commission (CEC), which has been conducting the election process in full compliance with deadlines, while carrying out large-scale information campaigns to educate voters and promote the effective use of new election technologies.
The interim report further highlights improvements in the voter registration process, dispute resolution mechanisms, and candidate rights. Gorduladze welcomed these developments, noting that they underscore Georgia’s commitment to upholding democratic standards.
However, Gorduladze raised concerns about the polarized media landscape in Georgia, which the OSCE/ODIHR report also mentions. He criticized opposition-affiliated media outlets for blocking the ruling party’s campaign advertisements without legal justification, claiming this violates Georgian law and creates an unequal media environment. Despite providing detailed evidence, Gorduladze noted that this issue has not yet been fully addressed in the OSCE/ODIHR report but expressed hope that it would be included in the final assessment.
The report also acknowledged the death of Georgian Dream member Ermile Gigiaze following a verbal altercation with an activist from the opposition United National Movement in Tskaltubo. Gorduladze pointed to this incident as a clear example of opposition provocations and welcomed its inclusion in the report, which he said helps expose the opposition’s true nature.
Additionally, Gorduladze highlighted that the opposition and some local observer organizations have refused to attend meetings of the Interagency Task Force for Free and Fair Elections, despite their calls for greater electoral transparency. He also expressed concern that many opposition parties have not signed the Code of Ethics developed by the CEC, which aims to ensure the ethical conduct of all electoral participants.
Gorduladze concluded by thanking the CEC, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, and other state agencies for their professionalism and efforts in ensuring a peaceful and transparent election process. He also extended gratitude to the OSCE/ODIHR representatives for their work and vowed to continue cooperating with them to ensure that the final report reflects only factual information, devoid of politically motivated accusations.
Finally, Gorduladze expressed concern over what he described as “unprecedented external interference” in Georgia’s electoral process, pointing to the opposition’s campaign being “practically directed from outside.” He hopes that these violations, along with evidence provided to the OSCE/ODIHR, will be addressed in the final report.
“Our primary goal remains to conduct elections in full compliance with international democratic standards,” Gorduladze emphasized, calling on all participants and observers to refrain from discrediting the electoral process and to cooperate in ensuring transparent, fair elections.
