US embassy on Georgian election run-offs: calm, well-run, with allegations of intimidation, pressure

The US Embassy to Georgia says it is sharing ODIHR’s assessment that the Georgian October 30 municipal election run-offs were generally calm and well-administered, but allegations of intimidation and pressure on voters persisted and continued polarization, coupled with the escalation of negative rhetoric, ‘adversely affected’ the process.

 

“ Sharp imbalances of resources and an undue advantage of incumbency further tilted the playing field.  ODIHR also noted concerns with the persistent practice of representatives of observer organizations acting as party supporters, at times interfering with the process, and groups of individuals potentially influencing voters outside some polling stations,” said the statement. 

 

It said as these elections have shown, ‘democracy is a work in progress,’ and that It requires ‘dedication to the highest international standards’ and vigilance to ensure citizens’ rights and freedoms are protected.  

 

“Some of the reforms enacted by Georgia’s political leaders through an inclusive, multiparty process earlier this year, such as automatic recounts and electronic vote counting, largely succeeded in increasing the transparency of the voting process.”   

 

The embassy says that these positive steps forward ‘were undermined’ by wide-spread violations in the pre-election period and on both election days that adversely affected the ability of citizens to vote freely.  

 

“We are particularly troubled by credible reports of violence against election observers and the media during both rounds of the election.  These groups are the cornerstone of any democracy, and attacks against members of the media and election observers must be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.  Their reports should be viewed as providing valuable information that can improve the electoral process,” said the embassy.   

 

It stated that each election, even imperfect ones, offers lessons learned and an opportunity to address persistent abuses that have degraded recent elections and eroded the public’s trust in their democratic institutions. 

 

 “As a start, we urge Georgia’s leaders to enact and implement all the remaining reforms recommended by ODIHR, the Venice Commission, and other international experts,” said the embassy.