isfed final report

7/21/2019 ISFED FINAL REPORT

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/isfed-final-report 1/28

Contents

I. About the Monitoring Mission............................................................................................................ 2

II. Key Findings................................................................................................................................. 2

III. Political Context............................................................................................................................. 5

IV. Election Legislation.......................................................................................................................... 6

1. Woring Process !ithin the Inter"Factional #as Force.............................................................................................$

%. Voters& List 'eco((endations..................................................................................................................................)

*. Abuse o+ ,tate 'esources..........................................................................................................................................)

-. rganic La! o+ /eorgia on Political 0nion o+ Citiens......................................................................................... ...2

V. Voters& List...................................................................................................................................... 8

VI. Election Ad(inistration.....................................................................................................................9

1. #he Central Election Co((ission.............................................................................................................................3

%. 4istrict and Precinct Election Co((issions............................................................................................................11

VII. #he Inter"Agency #as Force +or Free and Fair Elections........................................................................11

VIII. #he ,tate Audit ++ice.................................................................................................................. 12

I5. #he Pre"Election Period.................................................................................................................. 12

1. Methodology........................................................................................................................................................... 1%

%. 0se o+ ,tate 'esources............................................................................................................................................1*

*. Vote 6uying.............................................................................................................................................................1*

-. #hreads and Pressure...............................................................................................................................................1-

7. Physical Assault.......................................................................................................................................................17

$. Media En8iron(ent.................................................................................................................................................17

). ,ta++ changes in local sel+"go8ern(ent authorities............................................................................................ ......17

5. Monitoring o+ 9ublic (eetings held by 9arties:election sub;ects during the 9re"election 9eriod............................16

5I. Election 4ay................................................................................................................................ 17

1. Monitoring Mission.................................................................................................................................................1)

%. Monitoring Methodology................................................................................................................................. .......12

*. Key Findings........................................................................................................................................................... 13

-. PV# 'esults.............................................................................................................................................................%<

7. Election 4ay Violations and Co(9laints.................................................................................................................%*

5II. Conclusions and 'eco((endations...................................................................................................28

1



I. About the Monitoring Mission

#he 9resent docu(ent is a re9ort o+ (onitoring o+ the ctober %)= %<1* 9residential elections by the

International ,ociety o+ Fair Elections and 4e(ocracy >hereina+ter= the I,FE4?. At the %<1* 9residential

elections I,FE4= as an organiation !ith one o+ the broadest net!ors !as acti8ely in8ol8ed in pre-election as

well as the Elections Day and post-election monitoring. ,i(ilar to the %<1% 9arlia(entary elections= the

I,FE4 carried out (onitoring o+ the 9residential elections !ith the use o+ ne! (ethods and inno8ati8e

technologies.

1

#he 9rocess o+ (onitoring entailed three ey stages@

Pre-Election Monitoring. 4uring a +our"(onth 9eriod% leading u9 to the 9residential elections= )* long"ter(

obser8ers o+ I,FE4 conducted 9re"election (onitoring throughout all election districts o+ /eorgia. #he length

o+ the (onitoring and the use o+ e++ecti8e (ethodology enabled us to analye the 9rocess as a !hole= !hich

ser8ed as the basis +or a co(9rehensi8e and ob;ecti8e assess(ent o+ the 9re"election 9eriod. #he 9re"election

(onitoring +ocused on +ields including use o+ state resources= acti8ities o+ election ad(inistrations and 9olitical

9arties= +or(ation o+ 8oter lists= 9ressure on 9olitical grounds= threats and 8ote buying.

The Election-Day Monitoring !as carried out at 91 election 9recincts throughout /eorgia= including !

rando(ly selected election 9recincts !ith the use o+ the Parallel Vote #abulation >PV#? (ethodology. In

addition to the rando(ly selected 9recincts= I,FE4 stationed its short"ter( obser8ers at additional 11 election

9recincts. #ogether !ith short"ter( obser8ers= the Election 4ay (onitoring (ission consisted o+ )2 (obile

grou9s= )* district obser8ers= %< la!yers and %< ca(era(en. #he Election 4ay obser8ation co(bined three ey

co(9onents o9ening and setting u9 election 9recincts= the 9olling 9rocess= 8ote counting and tabulation

The Post-Election Monitoring !as carried out by I,FE4 by (eans o+ )* district obser8ers and la!yers o+ the

organiation. It (onitored the !or o+ election ad(inistration= a99lication 9rocess at district election

co((issions >4ECs? and the 9rocess o+ the 8ote tabulation. It +iled doens o+ co(9laints !ith the election

ad(inistration o8er alleged 8iolations obser8ed during the 9rocess.

II. "ey #indings

For the i(9ro8e(ent o+ a99licable legal +ra(e!or during the 9eriod leading u9 to the elections= creation o+ an

inter"+actional tas +orce on elections in the 9arlia(ent !as a 9ositi8e ste9 +or!ard= allo!ing all staeholders to

9resent legislati8e reco((endations and 9artici9ate in discussions. It is to the credit o+ the tas +orce that the

Election Code and the La! o+ /eorgia on Political 0nions o+ Citiens !ere a(ended. We also !elco(e

changes +or li(iting use o+ state resources= gi8ing legal entities an o99ortunity to 9ro8ide +unding +or 9arties

reducing unreasonable and dis9ro9ortionate sanctions i(9osed on 9olitical 9arties= dra!ing a line bet!een the

ti(e+ra(es +or ad(inistrati8e 9roceedings and 9roceedings that in8ol8e 9ro9erty i(9ounding= as !ell as

ti(e+ra(es +or +iling corres9onding a99eals. Bo!e8er= the !or o+ the inter"+actional tas +orce did not address

1 At %<1% 9arlia(entary elections I,FE4 !as the +irst organiation in /eorgia to i(9le(ent the Election 4ay re9orting by (eans o+

obser8er text (essages. For %<1* 9residential elections I,FE4 realied a 9ilot 9ro;ect in -3 election 9recincts that entailed recei8ing

o+ in+or(ation +ro( obser8ers by (eans o+ co(9uter tablets2 I,FE4 9er+or(ed 9re"election (onitoring +ro( uly 7 through ctober %<= %<1*

2



certain i(9ortant issues that include sta++ing o+ election ad(inistration= changes in the election syste( +or local

sel+"go8ern(ent and 9arlia(entary elections= +or(ation o+ 8oter lists= (edia co8erage o+ elections= etc

#here+ore= !e belie8e that in order to +urther i(9ro8e the election la!s the !or on election re+or( should

continue.

It is I,FE4&s assess(ent that the !or o+ the CEC !as o9en= 9ro(oting collaborati8e en8iron(ent !ith local

and international organiations as !ell as 9olitical 9arties. #he CEC !as acti8ely in8ol8ed in 8oter a!areness. It

created a 8ideo about election 9rocedures as !ell as guidelines +or use o+ state resources= consideration o+election dis9utes and other (atters.

Bo!e8er= I,FE4 criticied t!o o+ the CEC&s decisions@ +irst about the re+usal to register a holder o+ dual

citienshi9 as 9residential candidate= (ade on the basis o+ a !rong+ul inter9retation o+ the Constitution= and

second about regulations o+ 9hoto and 8ideo shooting during the 9olling day.

As to District Election $ommissions= (a;ority o+ 9roble(s re8ealed during the (onitoring !as related to

sta++ing o+ the election ad(inistration. ,o(e o+ the te(9orary (e(bers o+ district election co((issions

a99ointed by the CEC as !ell as 9olitical 9arties also ser8ed in 8arious 9ublic agencies. Further= (e(bers o+ the

Coalition /eorgian 4rea( inter+ered !ith the !or o+ district election co((issions.

#he +or(at o+ the Inter-Agency Tas% #orce &or #ree and #air Election !as 8ery i(9ortant during 9re"

election 9eriod= as it enabled 9olitical 9arties and (onitoring organiations to raise i(9ortant issues 9ertinent to

the election 9eriod be+ore the co((ission and sub(it re9orts about alleged 8iolations.

#he IA#F !hich o9erated under the aus9ices o+ the Ministry o+ ustice= did elaborate se8eral i(9ortant

reco((endationsD ho!e8er= considering non"binding nature o+ these reco((endations as !ell as the lac o+

(echanis( to ensure their i(9le(entation= (a;ority o+ these reco((endations !as ne8er realied.

Further= exa(ining issues raised by the 0M in a constructi8e (anner !as also 9roble(atic as +reuently

(eetings o+ the IA#F turned into the scene o+ 9olitical debates. Lac o+ constructi8e en8iron(ent at the IA#F(eetings had ad8erse i(9act on the !or o+ the co((ission and the o99osition&s +ull in8ol8e(ent in it.

Co(9ared to %<1% 9arlia(entary elections= the 'tate Audit (&&ice !as less acti8e. #he +inancial (onitoring

ser8ice did not exa(ine any o+ I,FE4&s re9orts o+ 8ote buying.

Co(9ared to %<1% 9re"election 9eriod= !hen the ser8ice o+ +inancial (onitoring !as harshly criticied +or

8iolations= the 9rocess o+ obtaining state(ents +ro( citiens did not in8ol8e any 8iolations. #otal o+ 3% 9ersons

!ere inter8ie!ed during the 9re"election 9eriod +or obtaining state(ents.

,i(ilar to the %<1% 9arlia(entary elections= the issue o& )oters re(o8ed +ro( registration re(ained a 9roble(.

#he CEC esti(ated that nu(ber o+ such 8oters !as 3) <<<. We !elco(e the +act that the CEC did not includethese 8oters auto(atically on the 8oter list= unlie the 9re8ious %<1% elections. Instead= the Agency +or the

4e8elo9(ent o+ ,tate ,er8ices 9osted a database on its !ebsite +or re"registration o+ 8oters re(o8ed +ro(

registration= through !hich e8ery indi8idual citien !as able to recei8e in+or(ation about the status o+ his:her

registration and learn about 9rocedures o+ re"registration.

3



4uring the 9re"election 9eriod= there !ere no +reuent abuses o+ state resources by 9olitical 9arties and election

sub;ects. I,FE4 detected total o+ 1) cases o+ abusing 9ublic resources both in +a8or o+ the ruling 9arty as !ell

as the o99osition. I,FE4 +ound that the coalition /eorgian 4rea( abuse 9ublic resources in ten cases= the 0M

in se8en.

I,FE4 also detected se8eral +acts o+ 8ote buying !ith the in8ol8e(ent o+ Pri(e Minister 6idina I8anish8ili=

by trans+erring goods o+ (aterial 8alue or o++ering bene+its to citiens o+ /eorgia.

4uring the re9orting 9eriod I,FE4 detected 1- acts o+ pressure and threats. In (ost o+ the cases these threats

and 9ressure !ere le8eled against (unici9al o++icials.

We identi+ied ) acts o& assault on 9olitical grounds= including * against the 0M su99orters= t!o against

su99orters o+ the 4e(ocratic Mo8e(ent 0ni+ied /eorgia and t!o against (e(bers o+ the coalition /eorgian

4rea(. Assaults !ere 9er9etrated both by su99orters o+ 8arious candidates as !ell as 9olice o++icers

re9resentati8es o+ (unici9al authorities and (e(bers o+ 9arlia(ent.

Changes o+ municipal o&&icials on 9olitical grounds continued during the 9re"election 9eriod. E8en though the

IA#F issued a reco((endation to ter(inate any co(9rehensi8e changes in sel+"go8ern(ent agencies= the

9rocess continued intensely and also entailed i(9each(ent o+ /a(gebelis and ,arebulo Chair9ersons. 4uringthe 9re"election ca(9aign /a(gebelis !ere re9laced in 13 (unici9alities= ,arebulo Chair9ersons in threeD

notably= !e +ound that (a;oritarian MPs inter+ered in the !or o+ sel+"go8ern(ent authorities in a nu(ber o+

(unici9alitiesD in a nu(ber o+ instances /a(gebelis !ere re9laced a(id 9ublic 9rotests.

4uring the 9re"election 9eriod election sub;ects and their su99orters held agitation meetings throughout

/eorgia. We +ound atte(9ts to inter+ere !ith the 0M 9ri(aries by using +orce by radical o99onents o+ the

9olitical o99osition. #hese +acts !ere later discontinued.

I,FE4 esti(ates that +ro( uly 1 through ctober %*= %<1*= 9olitical 9arties and their 9residential candidates

held total o+ 2<1 9ublic (eetings during the 9re"election 9eriod in 8arious territorial units o+ /eorgia.

#he 9re"election 9eriod !as (ared !ith a +ree media en)ironment in !hich 8arious outlets co8ered (eetings

o+ election sub;ect candidates !ith 8oters and 9olitical de8elo9(ents that un+olded. 4es9ite these 9ositi8e

de8elo9(ents= se8eral (edia outlets +aced a nu(ber o+ obstacles. #he (ost outstanding o+ these cases !as the

case o+ /uria Moa(be !hen local (edia outlet accused /a(gebeli o+ exerting 9ressure= !hile one o+ the

o!ners o+ Maestro #V (ade a state(ent about alleged 9ressure on 9olitical rounds by a grou9 o+ o++icials. We

!ould lie to also highlight the de8elo9(ents around the 9ublic broadcaster in8ol8ing the closing do!n o+

9olitical tal"sho!s during the 9re"election 9eriod.

Polling !as conducted in an organied (anner and in a 9eace+ul en8iron(ent throughout /eorgia. Ma;ority o+

8iolations detected on the Election 4ay !ere 9rocedural in nature. ,e8eral (a;or +la!s in the 9olling 9rocess

include +ailure to adeuately (aintain election (aterials >11* cases?= 9resence o+ unauthoried indi8iduals at

election 9recinct >1+ cases?= 8oting !ith ina99ro9riate docu(ents >1* cases?= 8iolation o+ regulations +or sealing

election docu(ents >1* cases? and 9roble(s about 8oter lists in 6atu(i. Further= there !as a trend o+ ga9s in

su((ary 9rotocols >1! cases? and re!riting in+or(ation recorded in su((ary 9rotocols >1+ cases?.

4



According to PV#= 8oter turnout throughout /eorgia !as ,.9*= in #bilisi ,!.* and ,., in the regions

a signi+icant decrease +ro( the %<1% 9arlia(entary elections !hen 8oter turnout !as .9.

I,FE4&s obser8ers +iled total o+ 9+ co(9laints o8er 8iolations in 9olling= 8ote counting and dra!ing u9 o+

su((ary 9rotocols in 8arious district and 9recinct election co((issions. Co(9laints !ere also +iled o8er

8iolations that include inadeuately 9re9aring:(aintaining election docu(ents= 8oting !ith ina99ro9riate

docu(ents= 9re"(ade signatures= 8iolation o+ casting"o+"lots and ining 9rocedures= regulations +or sealing

election (aterial= etc. I,FE4&s obser8ers reacted to *1 8iolations in total. otably= (a;ority o+ these 8iolations!ere technical in nature and (ostly result o+ lac o+ 9ro+essionalis( and uali+ication o+ election co((ission

(e(bers.

A99lication 9rocess on the Elections 4ay !as conducted in a trans9arent (anner= in obser8ance o+ a99licable

la!s. 4istrict election co((issions exa(ined +acts= re9resentati8es o+ the organiation !ere able to attend

co(9laints re8ie! and ex9ress the 9osition o+ the organiation about a99lications +iled. 4ecisions o+ election

co((issions !ere (ostly substantiatedD ho!e8er= (any decisions +ailed to 9ro8ide grounds +or re;ecting the

clai(s.

III. Political $onte/t

%<1* Presidential elections constituted an i(9ortant e8ent in the 9olitical li+e o+ the country= considering that

co(ing into +orce o+ constitutional a(end(ents that altered the balance o+ 9olitical 9o!ers bet!een di++erent

branches o+ the go8ern(ent and signi+icantly decreased 9o!ers o+ the 9resident is related to this date.

Conducting the 9residential elections +airly !as an i(9ortant challenge +or the go8ern(ent that ca(e into

9o!er +ollo!ing the %<1% 9arlia(entary elections and +or the de(ocratic de8elo9(ent o+ the country. Amid

de)elopments in local sel&-go)ernments &ollowing the *1* parliamentary elections, and arrest o& se)era

high-ran%ing o&&icials0 &ollowed by allegations about political prosecution by the opposition0 it was

important &or the new authorities to pro)e there was a political will to conduct elections in &ree and &air

en)ironment.

The $E$ registered unprecedentedly high number o& presidential candidates. ut o+ the t!enty"three

9residential candidates registered= three candidates too the lead /iorgi Marg8elash8ili +ro( the coalition

/eorgian 4rea(= 4a8it 6arade +ro( the 0nited ational Mo8e(ent and ino 6ur;anade +ro( the

4e(ocratic Mo8e(ent 0ni+ied /eorgia.7

3 !ith a (argin o+ error o+ G:"<.3H >at a 37H con+idence le8el?4 Follo!ing the %<1% 9arlia(entary elections as a result o+ !hich +or(er o99osition +orce ca(e into 9o!er= heads o+ local sel+"

go8ern(ent authorities re9resenting the 0M (assi8ely resigned or !ere dis(issedD instead= re9resentati8es o+ the coalition !ere

a99ointed. Munici9al e(9loyees !ere dis(issed on 9olitical grounds and ne! a99oint(ents !ere also o+ten 9olitically (oti8ated.,arebulo Me(bers started (assi8ely lea8ing the 0MD7 In a sur8ey conducted by the ational 4e(ocratic Institute >4I? in ,e9te(ber= /iorgi Marg8elash8ili= candidate o+ the coalition

/eorgian 4rea( !as leading a(ong the 9residential candidates !ith *3H su99ort= +ollo!ed by 4a8it 6arade= candidate o+ the

0nited ational Mo8e(ent !ith 12H su99ort and ino 6ur;anade= candidate o+ the 4e(ocratic Mo8e(ent 0ni+ied /eorgia as a

third runner u9 !ith )H o+ su99ort. In ,e9te(ber sur8ey conducted by /reenberg uinlan 'osner= -*H o+ res9ondents su99orted

/iorgi Marg8elash8ili= !hile %%H su99orted 4a8it 6arade and 2H su99orted ino 6ur;anade. ,eehtt9@::!!!.cacianalyst.org:9ublications:+ield"re9orts:ite(:1%2**"9olls"re8eal"georgian"drea("candidate"in"lead"ahead"o+"

9residential"election.ht(l htt9@::+rontne!s.ge:en:ne!s:33)1"/reenberg"uinlan"'osner"'esearch"-*"o+"/eorgian"res9ondents"!ould

8ote"+or"Marg8elash8ili"%%"6arade"and"2"6ur;anade

5

http://www.cacianalyst.org/publications/field-reports/item/12833-polls-reveal-georgian-dream-candidate-in-lead-ahead-of-presidential-election.html


http://frontnews.ge/en/news/9971-Greenberg-Quinlan-Rosner-Research-43-of-Georgian-respondents-would-vote-for-Margvelashvili-22-Bakradze-and-8-Burjanadze








Pre-election promises made by presidential candidates were mostly similar . In ter(s o+ +oreign 9olicy

/iorgi Marg8elash8ili and ino 6ur;anade 9ledged to regulate relations !ith 'ussia= in 8ie! o+ the Euro9ean

choice o+ /eorgia= !hile 4a8it 6arade highlighted the i(9ortance o+ continuing the Euro"Atlantic 9ath o+

/eorgia.

All three candidates 9ledged to rein+orce the econo(y= i(9ro8e in+rastructure= increase 9ensions and teacher&s

salary. ino 6ur;anade laid 9articular e(9hasis on restoration o+ ;ustice and conclusion o+ the 9rocess o+

cohabitation= !hile 4a8it 6arade e(9hasied (ulti"9arty go8ern(ent and the necessity o+ e++ecti8e control o+go8ern(ent.

I. Election 2egislation

1. 3or%ing Process within the Inter-#actional Tas% #orce

$reation o& the inter-&actional tas% &orce and the wor% to re)ise election laws within the &ormat o& the

group is a positi)e step &orward &or impro)ing the election en)ironment. #he tas +orce !as set u9 on

March )= %<1* under the resolution o+ the chair9erson o+ the 9arlia(ent and continued to !or +or o8er se8en

(onths. It is i(9ortant that /s and other interested 9arties are able sub(it their legislati8e reco((endations

to the inter"+actional grou9.

3e welcome the &act that some recommendations submitted by 45(s ha)e been ta%en into account.

6owe)er0 a number o& issues were not considered or re)iewed at all0 e)en though they were submitted at

an early stage. #hese issues include= +or instance= 9ro8iding an exhausti8e list o+ grounds +or establishing the

so"called Js9ecial election 9recincts and cases !hen such 9recincts can be set u9D arro!ing do!n the list o+

9olitical o++ice holders en8isaged by the Election CodeD s9eci+ying the ter( JagitationD Prohibiting (ilitary

ser8ice(en +ro( 9artici9ating in (a;oritarian and sel+"go8ern(ent elections i+ they are stationed in election

9recinct outside the 9lace o+ their registration= etc.

/ re9resentati8es attended discussions about 9ro9osed dra+ts at the 9arlia(entary legal a++airs co((ittee but!ithout ha8ing an o99ortunity to 9resent once (ore reco((endations not re+lected in bills 9ro9osed= !hich is

rather regrettable. It !as stated as an argu(ent that the inter"+actional grou9 did not address a 9articular issue

concerned or that an agree(ent could not be reached= !hile in +act the reality is that the legal a++airs co((ittee

itsel+ re(o8ed +ro( or changed in 9ro9osed dra+ts issues that the inter"+actional grou9 had already reached an

agree(ent about.$

According to the schedule o+ the inter"+actional grou9 9ublished in ad8ance= it should ha8e concluded its !or

on se8en s9eci+ic issues by the end o+ May and tabled subseuent dra+t la!s. 4ue to the +act that initially the

inter"+actional grou9s !as rather 9assi8e in its !or= it +ailed to conclude all issues in due ti(e and continued to

!or through une and uly. e8ertheless= the grou9 did not discuss a nu(ber o+ reco((endations sub(itted by /s citing lac o+ ti(e as the reason. Its re9resentati8e stated that they 9lan to address these issues during

the next stage o+ their !or.

6 E.g. a(end(ents !ere (ade to Article -3 !ith the third reading= regulating i(9le(entation o+ 9ro;ects:9rogra(s +unded +ro( the

,tate 6udget

6



#he International ,ociety +or Fair Elections and 4e(ocracy >I,FE4?= /eorgian oung La!yers& Association

>/LA? and #rans9arency International /eorgia ha8e sub(itted their reco((endations about issues

including

• Voter lists

• 'egulation o+ the use o+ state resources

• Pro9osed a(end(ents to the rganic La! on Political 0nions o+ Citiens

• 'eco((endations about (edia co8erage o+ 9re"election en8iron(ent

'eco((endations considered and reco((endations not considered by the inter"+actional grou9 are as +ollo!s@

*. oters7 2ist 8ecommendations

Recommendations considered:

1. #he Agency +or the 4e8elo9(ent o+ ,tate ,er8ices !ill no! be the body res9onsible +or +or(ation o+ 8oter

lists. Corres9onding a(end(ents !ill co(e into +orce ;ust in ti(e +or the %<1- sel+"go8ern(ent elections.

Recommendations not considered:

1. Pro8iding an exhausti8e list o+ grounds +or establishing the so"called Js9ecial election 9recincts and cases

!hen such 9recincts can be set u9D

%. Prohibiting (ilitary ser8ice(en +ro( 9artici9ating in (a;oritarian and sel+"go8ern(ent elections i+ they are

stationed in election 9recinct outside the 9lace o+ their registrationD

*. I(9ro8ing rules +or registration o+ 8oters on (obile ballot"box lists.).

+. Abuse o& 'tate 8esources


1. Prohibiting agitation during e8ents +unded +ro( the state budgetD ho!e8er= !e reco((ended absolute 9rohibition !hile under the a(end(ents ado9ted 9rohibitions a99lies only to an e8ent organier= !hich li(its

the sco9e o+ the 9rohibition and increases the chances o+ (isunderstanding in 9racticeD

%. Inco(9atibility o+ the status o+ a 9residential candidate !ith o++icial 9ositionD

*. bligation o+ local sel+"go8ern(ent agencies to elaborate the list o+ buildings !ithin the 9eriod o+ +i8e days

a+ter the launch o+ 9re"election ca(9aign that can be used as 8enues +or 9re"election ca(9aigning= and

9ro8iding the list to district co((issions. #he later should (ae the list 9ublic !ithin the 9eriod o+ t!o days

9osting o+ the list on the CEC !ebsite;

-. 4e+ining the (eaning o+ agitation (aterial and a(ending Article -$ accordingly.

Recommendations not considered

1. arro!ing do!n the list o+ 9olitical o++ice holders en8isaged by the Election Code in 9articular= re(o8al o+

de9uty (inisters= /a(gebelis and state authoried re9resentati8es /o8ernors +ro( the listD

7 Current 9ro8ision sti9ulates that nu(ber o+ (obile ballot box 8oters should not exceed *H o+ total nu(ber o+ 8oters in a gi8en

election 9recinct

7



%. Pro8iding (ore s9eci+ic de+inition o+ the ter( agitation adding the notion o+ 9assi8e agitation and li(iting

the right o+ certain categories o+ indi8iduals >la! en+orce(ent o++icers= re9resentati8es o+ religious

organiations= etc.? to attend ca(9aign e8entsD

-. Increasing the duration o+ 9re"election ca(9aign u9 to +our (onthsD

7. Prohibiting agitation near election 9recincts on the 9olling day.

,. (rganic 2aw o& 5eorgia on Political :nion o& $iti;ens


1. Legal 9ersons are no! able to 9ro8ide +unding +or 9artiesD

%. ,anctions en8isaged by the la! !ere decreased +ro( +i8e ti(es the a(ount concerned to t!o;

*. In+or(ation about +inancial status o+ an indi8idual based on court !arrantD

-. #i(e+ra(e +or ad(inistrati8e 9roceedings and seuestration 9roceedings.

Recommendations not considered

1. Institutional inde9endence o+ the Audit ,er8iceD

%. Freuency o+ 9ublishing re9orts +inancial re9ort o+ an election sub;ect that also entails in+or(ation aboutex9anses (ade (ust be 9ublished shortly be+ore the elections.

. oters7 2ist

#or *1+ presidential elections0 total number o& )oters was + <+= !<1.

'imilar to the *1* parliamentary elections0 the issue o& )oters remo)ed &rom registration remained a

problem. #he CEC esti(ated that nu(ber o+ such 8oters !as 3) <<<. We !elco(e the +act that the CEC did

not include these 8oters auto(atically on the 8oter list= unlie the 9re8ious %<1% elections. Instead= the Agency

+or the 4e8elo9(ent o+ ,tate ,er8ices 9osted a database on its !ebsite +or re"registration o+ 8oters re(o8ed+ro( registration= through !hich e8ery indi8idual citien !as able to recei8e in+or(ation about the status o+

his:her registration and learn about 9rocedures o+ re"registration. #he CEC also conducted a ca(9aign to raise

9ublic a!areness about registration 9roceduresD +urther= those !ho registered recei8ed I4 cards +ree o+ charge.

We belie8e that the decision about re"registration o+ 8oters re(o8ed +ro( registration !as a 9ositi8e ste9

+or!ard to i(9ro8e 8oter listD ho!e8er= out o+ 3) <<< 8oters re(o8ed +ro( registration only 3<<< !ere able to

re"register.

E8en though the 9rocess o+ i(9ro8ing the 8oter list !as co((endable= I,FE4 9rotested against (aing the

9ersonal in+or(ation o+ 8oters re(o8ed +ro( registration 9ublic. In 9articular= the list that !as 9ublished

contained 9ersonal in+or(ation about 8oters= including their na(e= surna(e= 46 and 9ersonal identi+icationnu(ber. #he Election Code sti9ulates that 8oter na(e= surna(e= 46= address and 9lace o+ actual residence=

date o+ registration and sex is 9art o+ the 8oter list that&s 9ublic. I,FE4 belie8es that 9ersonal identi+ication

nu(ber o+ 8oters !as (ade 9ublic against sti9ulation o+ the Election Code o+ /eorgia and the la! o+ /eorgia

on Protection o+ Personal 4ata.

E8en though I,FE4 a99lied to the Agency +or the 4e8elo9(ent o+ ,tate ,er8ices not to (ae 9ersonal

8



in+or(ation o+ 8oters 9ublicly accessible= the Agency did not 9rotect 9ersonal identi+ication nu(ber o+ 8oters.

I,FE4 also a99lied to the ins9ector +or the 9rotection o+ 9ersonal in+or(ation but he stated that 9ublishing

9ersonal identi+ication nu(ber o+ citiens did not 8iolate the la! o+ /eorgia on the 9rotection o+ 9ersonal

in+or(ation.

I,FE4 !ould lie to 9articularly highlight the 9roble( o+ registration o+ citiens li8ing abroad. otably= their

nu(ber is as lo! as -2 -$< considering that hundreds and thousands o+ /eorgian citiens li8e outside the

country. We belie8e this is due to the lac o+ a!areness o+ citiens o+ /eorgia residing abroad aboutregistration ter(s and 9rocedures. #he CEC needs to address the 9roble(.

As to the con8icts and de+endants !ith the right to 8ote= only 13) out o+ 1)-) ex9ressed their desire to cast a

ballot in 9residential elections.

oter list needs to be impro)ed by implementing a number o& measures0 including &or instance door-to-

door campaigns and use o& biometric in&ormation &or preparing )oter lists. #urther0 the authorities0 the

$E$0 in )iew o& interests o& )oters residing abroad0 should come up with alternati)e means o& )oting.

I. Election Administration

,tarting +ro( uly 1= %<1*= a+ter the 9re"election ca(9aign !as o++icially launched= I,FE4 !as (onitoring the

!or o+ the CEC= district and 9recinct election co((issions by (eans o+ long"ter( obser8ers in all election

districts throughout /eorgia.

1. The $entral Election $ommission

#he !or o+ the Central Election Co((ission +or the 9residential elections !as (ostly co((endable.

It is I,FE4&s assess(ent that the wor% o& the $E$ was open0 promoting collaborati)e en)ironment withlocal and international organi;ations as well as political parties by organi;ing meetings0 pro)iding easy

access to in&ormation and transparent decision-ma%ing.

#he CEC !as acti8ely in8ol8ed in 8oter a!areness. It created a 8ideo about election 9rocedures as !ell as

guidelines +or use o+ state resources= consideration o+ election dis9utes and other i(9ortant (atters.

#he election ad(inistration conducted a nu(ber o+ i(9ortant acti8ities to ensure eual election en8iron(ent

including a!areness ca(9aign +or 9ersons !ith disabilities and designing s9ecial ballots. 6owe)er0 lac% o&

election districts adapted to the needs o& persons with disabilities remained an issue. The $E$ estimates

the number o& election districts adapted at +*! or only !.9

4es9ite these 9ositi8e initiati8es= one issue that I,FE4 +ound 9roble(atic !as the decision o+ the CEC to re+use

registration as 9residential candidate to a holder o+ dual citienshi9= !hich !as criticied by the organiation as

it !as (ade on the basis o+ !rong+ul inter9retation o+ the Constitution.

8 ,ee the CEC state(ent at htt9@::ceso.ge:ge:9age:tanabari"saarche8no"gare(o"sheguduli"shesadleblobebis"(one

a(o(rche8lebist8is%.9 ,ee htt9@::!!!.ceso.ge:u9loads:other:12:12%*7.9d+ .

9

http://cesko.ge/ge/page/tanabari-saarchevno-garemo-shezguduli-shesadzleblobebis-mqone-amomrchevlebistvis2


http://www.cesko.ge/uploads/other/18/18235.pdf



http://www.cesko.ge/uploads/other/18/18235.pdf



Para.11= Article %3 o+ the Constitution o+ /eorgia that has been cited as legal grounds +or the +oregoing order

sti9ulates that Jthe o++ice o+ the 9resident o+ /eorgia shall not be held by a citien o+ /eorgia !ho is also

holding a +oreign citienshi9. I,FE4 belie8es that the nor( does not a99ly to 9ersons 9artici9ating in elections

as candidatesD rather= the Constitution di++erentiates bet!een election o+ a 9resident and holding the 9osition o+ a

9resident= !hile the 9rohibition sti9ulated by 9ara.11= Article %3 o+ the Constitution a99lies only to holding o+

the o++ice. 0nder 9ara.%= Article )< o+ the Constitution= any citien o+ /eorgia including a +oreign citien has the

right to run in 9residential elections but they (ust abandon +oreign citienshi9 9rior to taing the oath o+ o++ice

under Article %3 o+ the Constitution.1<

#he resolution o+ the $E$ pro)iding regulation o& photo and )ideo shooting at election precincts on the

Election $ode remained a problem +or the ne! 9residential elections as !ell. I,FE4 and other /s +iled in

courts o+ all instances against the resolution11 as early as one year ago but the clai( !as re;ected by courts.

,e8eral days be+ore the 9arlia(entary elections= the Central Elections Co((ission a(ended the resolution

ado9ted on ,e9te(ber %-= %<1%. Prior to the a(end(ent= 9ara.%= Article % o+ the resolution sti9ulated that

(ini(u( distance bet!een 9hoto or 8ideo shooter and an ob;ect o+ shooting should ha8e been at least three

(eters. 0nder the a(ended 9ro8ision= the (andatory distance re(ains the sa(eD ho!e8er= i+ the area o+ a

9olling station (aes it i(9ossible +or a 9hoto or 8ideo shooter to obser8e the distance= election co((issionchair9erson has the discretion to deter(ine the distance.1%

E)en though amendments to the resolution o& the $E$ ha)e impro)ed regulations o& photo and )ideo

shooting to a certain e/tent0 it con&licts with para.*<0 Article ! o& the Election $ode1+0 8iolating li(its o+ the

la! and 9rescribing di++erent regulations. 1- #his !ay= it 9laces un;usti+ied restrictions on rights o+ all indi8iduals

seeing to conduct 9hoto and:or 8ideo recording at 9olling stations on the Election 4ay.

*. District and Precinct Election $ommissions

#hrough L#s I,FE4 !as acti8ely (onitoring setting u9 o+ district and 9recinct election co((issions and their

sta++ing. In +ra(es o+ the (onitoring o+ election ad(inistration= obser8ers also attended (eetings o+ election

co((issions to e8aluate 9rocesses +ro( legal 9oint o+ 8ie!.

Ma;ority o+ 9roble(s re8ealed during the (onitoring !as related to sta++ing o+ the election ad(inistration.

'ome o& the temporary members o& district election commissions appointed by the $E$ as well as

political parties also ser)ed in )arious public agencies. 4EC (e(bers are 9rohibited +ro( si(ultaneously

ser8ing in 9ublic agencies and !oring in election co((ission under the a99licable la!. #he trend !as10 ,ee I,FE4&s o9inion about re+usal o+ the CEC to register holder o+ dual citienshi9 as a 9residential candidate= second interi(

re9ort o+ the election (onitoring@ htt9@::!!!.is+ed.ge:(ain:-%%:geo: .11 ,ee ,e9t(ber %-= %<1% 'esolution o+ the CEC -%:%<1% on de+ining certain election 9rocedures12 Co(9are@ resolution o+ the CEC= dated ctober 1$= %<1*= -7:%<1*.13 rganic La! o+ /eorgia= the Election Code= 9ara.%7= Article 2@ 9ersons ha8ing the right to be inside a 9olling station (ay conduct

9hoto and 8ideo shooting outside 9olling booth= !ithout inter+ering !ith the election 9rocess14 For detailed in+or(ation 9lease see I,FE4&s state(ent about 9hoto and 8ideo shooting at 9olling stations

htt9@::!!!.is+ed.ge:(ain:-73:geo:D

10

http://www.isfed.ge/main/422/geo/






9articularly notable in the +ollo!ing nine 4ECs@ Lagodehi N17= 'usta8i N%<= Marneuli N%%= Lentehi N-$

Kutaisi N73= urgeti N$<= Chohatauri N$%= Lanchhuti N$1.17

Further= (e(bers o+ the $oalition 5eorgian Dream inter&ered with the wor% o& district election

commissions. I,FE4&s long"ter( obser8ers ha8e re9orted such cases in Mtsheta= A(brolauri= Chohatauri=

#bilisi and Mart8ili district election co((issions. #he inter+erence (ostly entailed the +ollo!ing@ heads o+ local

o++ices o+ the coalition 8isited district election co((issions !ith lists 9re9ared in ad8ance= de(anding

a99oint(ent o+ 9ersons they +a8ored as 4EC (e(bers.1$

I,FE4 conde(ns any inter+erence in the !or o+ the election ad(inistration or their coercion to in+luence their

decisions. It not only constitutes 8iolation o+ la! but also has ad8erse i(9act on the 9re"election en8iron(ent.

II. The Inter-Agency Tas% #orce &or #ree and #air Elections

#he +or(at o+ the Inter"Agency #as Force +or Free and Fair Election !as 8ery i(9ortant during 9re"election

9eriod= as it enabled 9olitical 9arties and (onitoring organiations to raise i(9ortant issues 9ertinent to the

election 9eriod be+ore the co((ission and sub(it re9orts about alleged 8iolations. 6ased on these re9orts= the

IA#F issued reco((endations.

The IAT# which operated under the auspices o& the Ministry o& >ustice0 did elaborate se)eral important

recommendations? howe)er0 considering non-binding nature o& these recommendations as well as the lac%

o& mechanism to ensure compliance0 ma@ority o& these recommendations was ne)er reali;ed. 1=

Further= exa(ining issues raised by the 0M in a constructi8e (anner !as also 9roble(atic as +reuently

(eetings o+ the IA#F turned into the scene o+ 9olitical debates. Lac o+ constructi8e en8iron(ent at the IA#F

(eetings had ad8erse i(9act on the !or o+ the co((ission and the o99osition&s +ull in8ol8e(ent in it.

E8en though the re9ort o+ the IA#F 9ublished on ,e9te(ber *<= %<1*= included a nu(ber o+ reco((endations

raised by I,FE4

12

= #rans9arency International /eorgia or the /eorgian oung La!yers& association= the IA#Fdid not act on se8eral i(9ortant acts o+ 8ote buying= use o+ state resources= 9ressure and threats unco8ered by

us.

Further(ore= I'#ED belie)es that e)en though the law does not prohibit ministers and deputy ministers

&rom participating in pre-election agitation0 the IAT# should ha)e limited participation o& its members in

agitation to promote trust and ob@ecti)ity.

III. The 'tate Audit (&&ice

$ompared to *1* parliamentary elections0 the 'tate Audit (&&ice 'A(B was less acti)e.

15 For detailed in+or(ation 9lease see I,FE4&s third interi( re9ort o+ 9re"election (onitoring@ htt9@::!!!.is+ed.ge:(ain:-<):geo: .16 For detailed in+or(ation 9lease see I,FE4&s +irst interi( re9ort o+ 9re"election (onitoring@ htt9@::!!!.is+ed.ge:(ain:-)%:geo:17 4es9ite reco((endations issued by the IA#F= 9ublic ser8ants still engaged in 9re"election ca(9aigns during !oring hours and

inter+ered !ith 9re"election ca(9aigningD18 #he legal entity o+ 9ublic la! 'ural and Agricultural 4e8elo9(ent Fund is +unded by the charity +oundation Cartu >I,FE4&s +irst

interi( re9ort o+ 9re"election (onitoring= 9.$?D Pri(e Minister&s +a(ily trans+ers In+o 3 +ree o+ charge to the (anaging co(9any>I,FE4&s +ourth interi( re9ort o+ 9re"election (onitoring= 9.11?D Pri(e Minister gi+ts a 8aluable 9resent to ne!ly!eds during the

celebration o+ ,hua(toba >I,FE4&s third interi( re9ort o+ 9re"election (onitoring= 9.1<?D use o+ state resourcesD in+or(ation about

9roble(s in sta++ing o+ election ad(inistrationD se8eral acts o+ 9ressureD

11







#he +inancial (onitoring ser8ice did not exa(ine any o+ I,FE4&s re9orts o+ 8ote buying.

In se8en 8iolations o+ la! identi+ied by the ,A= !hich in8ol8ed late 9ro8ision o+ in+or(ation about s9ending

o+ business tra8el allo!ance in cash= sub(ission o+ +inancial declarations 9ast the deadline and +ailure to sub(it

in+or(ation about (e(bershi9 +ees= +i8e 9arties !ere i(9osed !ith a +ine by #bilisi City Court&s board o+

ad(inistrati8e cases !hile 9roceedings !ere ter(inated in t!o o+ the cases.

Co(9ared to %<1% 9re"election 9eriod= !hen the ser8ice o+ +inancial (onitoring !as harshly criticied +or

8iolations= the 9rocess o+ obtaining state(ents +ro( citiens did not in8ol8e any 8iolations. #otal o+ 3% 9ersons

!ere inter8ie!ed during the 9re"election 9eriod +or obtaining state(ents.

IC. The Pre-Election Period

1. Methodology

For (onitoring the ctober %)= %<1* Presidential Elections= the International ,ociety +or Fair Elections and

4e(ocracy registered !ith the Central Elections Co((ission >CEC?. ,ince uly 1= %<1*= I,FE4 has been

carrying out 9re"election (onitoring +or the 9residential elections in all election districts o+ /eorgia through )*

long"ter( obser8ers >L#s?. #he L#s ha8e undergone training in 9re9arations +or the (onitoring. In the 9rocess o+ (onitoring I,FE4&s L#s are guided by international standards +or (onitoring organiations13

i(9lying co(9rehensi8e= ob;ecti8e and trans9arent (onitoring o+ elections. I,FE4 (onitors all 9rocesses that

(ay ha8e an i(9act on election en8iron(ent= including@

• Monitoring o+ election ad(inistration= !hich (ostly entails (onitoring co(9osition o+ election

ad(inistration and its acti8itiesD

• Monitoring 9ublic (eetings o+ 9olitical 9arties:election sub;ects and their other 9olitical acti8ities= as

!ell as their election 9ro(isesD

• 4etecting and studying any abuse o+ state resourcesD

• 4etecting and acting on 9olitical 9ressure:threats= obstruction o+ 9olitical acti8ities and alleged 8ote"

buying.

L#s conducted 9re"election (onitoring by (eans o+ s9ecially designed electronic uestionnaires. Prior to the

(onitoring= )* L#s o+ I,FE4 under!ent t!o stages o+ a t!o"day training session about (onitoring and

re9orting (ethodology.

*. :se o& 'tate 8esources

When exa(ining (isuse o+ state resources= I,FE4 (ostly +ocused on the +ollo!ing circu(stances

• Whether budgetary resources o+ central and local authorities !ere used +or ad8ancing 9re"election

ca(9aigns o+ candidates or s9eci+ic 9arties

19 In the 9rocess o+ (onitoring I,FE4 +ollo!s 4eclaration o+ /lobal Princi9les +or on9artisan Election bser8ation and Monitoring

by Citien rganiations= a8ailable at htt9@::!!!.gnde(.org:declaration"o+"global"9rinci9lesD !hile in e8aluation it is guided by and

shares the s9irit o+ ,CE Co9enhagen 4ocu(ent

12



I,FE4 belie8es that si(ilar to the Agriculture and 'ural 4e8elo9(ent Fund= the +oregoing case suggests 8ote

buying.

ote buying during celebration o& 'huamtoba

n August 11= %<1*= Ad;ara #V re9orted that during celebration o+ ,hua(toba %<1*= Pri(e Minister 6idina

I8anish8ili ga8e a dia(ond ring as a gi+t to a ne!ly!ed cou9le called /undalades. I,FE4 belie8es that by

gi8ing a gi+t to 8oters the Pri(e Minister (ay ha8e 8iolated ad(inistrati8e la! or cri(inal la!= de9ending on

the 8alue o+ the gi+t.

I,FE4 included these +acts in its re9orts and 9ro8ided corres9onding reco((endations +or a8oiding si(ilar

9ractice in the +uture. With res9ect to alleged 8ote buying= I,FE4 also a99lied to the IA#F but the latter +ailed

to tae any subseuent actions. ,i(ilar to the IA#F= neither did the ,tate Audit ++ice or the la! en+orce(ent

authorities too any +urther actions= e8en though these +acts suggest 8iolation o+ ad(inistrati8e or cri(inal la!.

I,FE4 belie8es that these +acts (ust be res9onded adeuately in order to 9re8ent the !rong+ul trend o+

9ro8iding goods o+ (aterial 8alue to 8oters by 9olitical o++icials and their use +or election 9ur9oses.

,. Threads and Pressure

4uring the 9re"election (onitoring= I,FE4 +ocused on +ollo!ing +acts to detect threats and 9ressure on alleged

9olitical grounds@

• Whether e(9loyees o+ state agencies= 8oters= 9olitical 9arty re9resentati8es= election sub;ect candidates

!ere sub;ected to alleged 9olitical 9ressure or threatsD

• Whether 8arious +or(s o+ 8iolence !ere a99lied against 8oters= 9ublic o++icers= 9olitical 9arties= election

sub;ects to li(it their acti8ities.

4uring the re9orting 9eriod I,FE4 detected 1- acts o+ 9ressure and threats= (ostly against local sel+"go8ern(ent e(9loyees.

I,FE4 has +ound that 9ressure !as exerted on (unici9al o++icials both by the ruling coalition as !ell as the

re9resentati8es o+ the o99ositional 0nited ational Mo8e(ent 9arty. Political 9arty (e(bers and acti8ists

(ostly tried to inter+ere !ith the !or o+ sel+"go8ern(ent authorities and in+luence changes. Further(ore= !e

also detected 8iolent acts against 9olitical acti8ists. It !as 9articularly alar(ing that in one o+ the cases 8icti(

!as beaten by la! en+orce(ent o++icers= suggesting that 9olice ignored its legal obligations and tried to su99ort

interests o+ a certain 9olitical grou9 by resorting to 8iolent (eans. %<

<. Physical Assault

We +ound = acts o& physical assault on 9olitical grounds= including * against the 0M su99orters= t!o against

su99orters o+ the 4e(ocratic Mo8e(ent 0ni+ied /eorgia and t!o against (e(bers o+ the coalition /eorgian

4rea(.

20 ,ee I,FE4&s +irst interi( re9ort o+ 9re"election (onitoring at htt9@::!!!.is+ed.ge:(ain:-<):geo:

14





Assaults !ere 9er9etrated both by su99orters o+ 8arious candidates as !ell as 9olice o++icers %1= re9resentati8es

o+ (unici9al authorities%% and (e(bers o+ 9arlia(ent. %*

. Media En)ironment

4uring the 9re"election 9eriod= media outlets were able to impart any in&ormation &reely0 without any

obstacles0 including criticism. 6roadcasters co8ered election ca(9aign by 8arious sub;ects in a non"

discri(inatory (anner= in abidance o+ election la!s. 0nlie the %<1% 9arlia(entary elections= I,FE4&s

obser8ers did not +ind a single act o+ inter+erence in ;ournalistic re9orting. E8en though !e +ound that the (edia

en8iron(ent !as +ree in general= so(e (edia outlets +aced certain obstacles.

'egional (edia outlet /uria Moa(be accused (unici9ality /a(gebeli o+ 9ressure= !hile one o+ the +ounders o+

Maestro #V= Ma(ua /hlonti (ade a state(ent about 9olitical 9ressure by a grou9 o+ re9resentati8es o+ the

authorities. Another negati8e de8elo9(ent !as dis(issal o+ general director o+ 9ublic #V and closing o+

9olitical tal"sho!s. /iorgi 6aratash8ili as !ell as hosts o+ the tal"sho!s that !ere closed do!n alleged that

these decisions !ere 9olitically (oti8ated.

=. 'ta&& changes in local sel&-go)ernment authorities

Follo!ing ctober 1= %<1% 9arlia(entary elections= change o+ authorities at the central le8el also a++ected local

sel+"go8ern(ents. I,FE4 esti(ates that +ro( the 9arlia(entary elections through ctober %*= %<1*

/a(gebelis !ere re9laced in 7) (unici9alities= !hile ,arebulo Chair9ersons !ere re9laced in *%

(unici9alities.

#he IA#F ado9ted a s9ecial reco((endation +or (unici9al authorities= as the 9rocess o+ re9lacing o++icials

continued during the 9eriod leading u9 to the 9residential elections. #he IA#F reco((ends that the (unici9al

authorities re+rain +ro( (aing any signi+icant changes in sta++= including dis(issal o+ o++icials >/a(gebelis=

,arebulo Chair9ersons?= including by i(9each(ent= in order +or the changes not to be 9ercei8ed as atte(9ts to

in+luence elections.

4es9ite the reco((endation= the 9rocess continued and it !as rather intense= entailing i(9each(ent o+

,arebulo chair9ersons and /a(gebelis. During the pre-election period0 &rom >uly 1 through (ctober *0

*1+0 5amgebelis were replaced in 19 municipalities0 'a%rebulo $hairpersons in three municipalities.

Further= Mayors !ere re9laced in t!o cities Kutaisi and 'usta8i. /a(gebelis in these (unici9alities !ere

changed +or the second ti(e +ollo!ing the ctober 1= %<1% 9arlia(entary elections.

otably= (a;oritarian MPs inter+ered in the !or o+ (unici9al authorities in certain (unici9alities= !hile in a

nu(ber o+ cases /a(gebelis !ere re9laced a(id 9ublic 9rotests. Changes in sel+"go8ern(ents !ere 9articularly

intense in Kas9i= Lentehi= Keda and 6olnisi Munici9alities.

21 Police o++icers assaulted (e(ber o+ youth organiation o+ the 'e9ublican Party&s organiation in /ori= /iorgi Pa9iash8ili on

9olitical grounds22 #rustee o+ the 8illage o+ ,8eri= Chiatura Munici9ality= Ilo 6itsade 8erbally and 9hysically assaulted coordinator o+ the 4e(ocratic

Mo8e(ent 0ni+ied /eorgiaD (e(ber o+ the 0M !as 9hysically abused by lio ,ologhash8ili= secretary o+ Mtsheta /a(gebeli23 According to /iorgi /8ila8a= head o+ the coalition /eorgian 4rea(&s o++ice= he !as +irst 8erbally later 9hysically abused by Abasha

Ma;oritarian MP and a (e(ber o+ the ational Mo8e(ent 4a8it 4arts(elide !ith his 9ersons that acco(9anied hi(

15



I,FE4 8ie!s such changes at the (unici9al le8el as an atte(9t o+ 9olitical 9ressure and belie8es that (unici9al

authorities should re+rain +ro( any i(9ortant sta++ changes during 9re"election 9eriodD other!ise= these changes

!ill be 8ie!ed as dis(issals o+ 9ublic ser8ants on 9olitical grounds and an atte(9t to in+luence election results.

C. Monitoring o& public meetings held by partiesFelection sub@ects during the pre-election period

4uring the 9re"election 9eriod I,FE4 closely +ollo!ed 9ublic (eetings o+ 9olitical 9arties:election sub;ects and

recorded 9ro(ises (ade during these (eetings. I'#ED &ound that during the pre-election period most o& the

meetings with )oters were held by the coalition 5eorgian Dream0 the Democratic Mo)ement :ni&ied

5eorgia and the :nited 4ational Mo)ement.

I,FE4 +ound that +ro( uly 1 through ctober %*= %<1*= 9olitical 9arties and their 9residential candidates held

total o+ 2<1 9re"election 9ublic (eetings in 8arious territorial units o+ /eorgia. ,tatistics o+ these (eetings are

as +ollo!s@

1. #he coalition 5eorgian Dream held -1% 9ublic (eetings during the 9re"election 9eriod. Pro(ises (ade

during these (eetings +ocused on strengthening econo(y= i(9ro8ing in+rastructure= addressing the 9roble( o+

gasi+ication= 9ensions as !ell as gradual increase o+ teachers& salaries. #he candidate also addressed +oreign

9olicy and taled about i(9ro8ing relations !ith 'ussia.

%. Candidate o+ the Democratic Mo)ement :ni&ied 5eorgia0 ino 6ur;anade held 173 9ublic

(eetings. Pro(ises (ade included regulation o+ con+licts and i(9ro8ing relations !ith 'ussia= as !ell as

restoring territorial integrity o+ /eorgia and strengthening econo(y. ino 6ur;anade also discussed the

i(9ortance o+ inde9endent and co(9etent ;udiciary and ending the 9rocess o+ cohabitation.

*. Presidential candidate o+ the :nited 4ational Mo)ement discussed +ollo!ing issues during 1*1

(eetings !ith 9ublic@ +inishing in+rastructure 9ro;ects= rein+orcing econo(y= (ulti"9arty go8ernance= e++ecti8econtrol o+ the go8ern(ent and continuing the Euro"Atlantic 9ath o+ /eorgia.

-. I,FE4 +ound that during the 9re"election 9eriod the 2abor Party held *7 (eetings !ith 8oters= during

!hich the candidate discussed the +ollo!ing ey issues@ +ree education and healthcare= reducing taxes

abolishing cash registers= restricting alienation o+ land 9lots to +oreign citiens= 8isa +ree regi(e !ith 'ussia and

return to the 'ussian (aret= as !ell as the de8elo9(ent o+ agriculture.

7. The $hristian Democratic Mo)ement held %) 9ublic (eetings !here 9ro(ises included building

s(all enter9rises and s(all hydro"electric 9o!er stations= ban loans !ith lo! interest rates +or 9ro(otion o+

s(all business= 9rohibition o+ one"sex (arriage= tacling econo(ic and territorial 9roble(s o+ /eorgia.

$. People7s Party "oba Da)itash)ili held %1 (eetings !ith 9ublic= (ostly discussing restoration o+

;ustice= addressing the 9roble( o+ (ortgage loans and increasing 9ensions= as !ell as 9rohibiting labor i(9ort

and 9lacing restrictions on 9urchase o+ agricultural land 9lots.

16



). 4uring 11 (eetings held by the 9residential candidate 4estan "irtad;e the +ollo!ing 9ro(ises !ere

(ade@ regulation o+ con+licts= de8elo9(ent o+ agriculture= 9ro(oting business and i(9le(enting in+rastructure

9ro;ects.

CI. Election Day

1. Monitoring Mission

#he (onitoring (ission o+ I,FE4 +or ctober %*= %<1* elections consisted o+ u9 to 1* accredited and trained

obser8ers distributed a(ong 9recinct= district and central election co((issions. I,FE4 (onitored total o+ 91

9recincts throughout all =+ election districts o+ /eorgia. ! out o+ 31< short"ter( obser8ers !ere stationed at a

rando(ly selected 9recincts. In addition to rando(ly selected 9recincts I,FE4 also (onitored 11 election

9recincts= including s9ecial election 9recincts in 9enitentiary +acilities and (ilitary units. A9art +ro( short"ter(

obser8ers= Election 4ay (onitoring !as also conducted by (eans o+ =+ district obser8ers= =! (obile tea(s= *

la!yers and %< ca(era(en.

In 9re9aration +or the Election 4ay !e +irst elaborated (ethodology= the syste( o+ re9orting and

co((unication= created databases= (onitoring +or(s= instructions= guidelines and other election (aterials !iththe in8ol8e(ent o+ international ex9erts. #he +ollo!ing stage o+ 9re9aration entailed selection o+ ** trainers and

conducting training sessions= including

• <= training sessions +or u9 to 1 obser8ersD

• #raining o+ ,9 obser8ers eui99ed !ith co(9uter tabletsD

• , training sessions +or =+ district obser8ers

• , training sessions +or =! (obile tea(sD

• #raining o+ * la!yers

• #raining o+ * ca(era(en.

Partici9ants !ere tested +ollo!ing the training to select and accredit (e(bers o+ the Election 4ay (onitoring

(ission.

*. Monitoring Methodology

I'#ED is obser)ing Election Day using an internationally recogni;ed and ad)anced obser)ation

methodology called a Parallel ote Tabulation PTB. I'#ED deployed ! PT obser)ers to a nationally

re9resentati8e= rando( sa(9le o+ 9olling stations in all o+ the )* districts.

0se o+ the PV# (ethodology allo!ed I,FE4 to

• Collect ualitati8e and uantitati8e in+or(ation +ro( rando(ly selected 9recincts and analye the

in+or(ation recei8edD

• E8aluate the Election 4ay 9rocess as a !hole o9ening o+ 9recincts= 8oting= closing o+ 9recincts= 8ote

counting and tabulationD

17



• 'ecei8e in+or(ation based on +acts that !ould ser8e as grounds +or acting on issues o+ concern to

i(9ro8e the 9rocessD

• 4etect +la!s:8iolations during o9ening o+ 9recincts= 9olling and 8ote countingD

• /eneralie in+or(ation recei8ed +ro( select 9recinctsD

• Veri+y o++icial results o+ the Election 4ay.

otably= I,FE4&s obser8ers conducted (onitoring at ,9%- election 9recincts o+ /eorgia !ith the use o+

computer tablets= +or the +irst ti(e in the history o+ (onitoring (ission= !hich turned out to be uitesuccess+ul.

n ctober %%= at 1%@<<= I,FE4 the conducted a si(ulation o+ the Election 4ay (onitoring (ethodology "

Parallel Vote #abulation >PT?. #he simulation

1. #ests the net!or connectionsD

%. the obser8ers& understanding ho! to re9ortD

*. the recei9t o+ ,M, (essages into the databaseD

-. it tests that all re9orts are co(9leteD and

7. it tests the uality o+ the data

4uring one hour o+ the si(ulation 99.= 9ercent o+ obser8ers success+ully sub(itted their re9orts. #here+ore= it is

sa+e to conclude that the si(ulation !as success+ul.

n the Election 4ay central o++ice o+ I,FE4 o9erated the +ollo!ing t!o centers@ PTF'M' $enter and

incidents center.

'e9orts recei8ed +ro( obser8ers in the +or( o+ text (essages !ere co(9iled in a s9ecial database and 8eri+ied

as needed by o9erators. Veri+ied in+or(ation !as 9rocessed and analyed by a tea( o+ ex9erts.

All 8iolations detected election 9recincts or districts on the Election 4ay !ere re9orted to the incidents center

di8ided according to regions and (anned by * lawyers. A+ter consulting !ith la!yers obser8ers too

corres9onding +urther actions +or each indi8idual 8iolation detected. La!yers entered in the database re9orts

a+ter they !ere 8eri+ied and 9rocessed. #he database entailed not only the in+or(ation about 8iolations re9orted

but also co(9laints +iled !ith election districts and 9recincts.

#hree non"go8ern(ental organiations%7 ;ointly o9erated elections 9ortal >!!!.elections9ortal.ge? on the

Elections 4ay= (a99ing 8iolations re9orted by indi8idual citiens and /s during the 9olling 9rocess.

A+ter all re9orts recei8ed +ro( the incidents center and the PTF'M' center !ere 9rocessed= !e released total

o+ < statements about 9olling 9rocess= trends identi+ied= 8iolations detected and 9olling results 9ro8ided to 9ublic by 9ublishing the( on I,FE4&s !ebsite= releasing the( in social net!ors and at 9ress"con+erences.

I,FE4 held the +ollo!ing < press-con&erences on the Election 4ay@

24 -7 election 9recincts in all election districts in #bilisiD +our election 9recincts in the regions /ori= Kutaisi and 6atu(i= one 9recinct

in each.25 I,FE4= /eorgian oung La!yers& Association= #rans9arency International /eorgia

18

http://www.electionsportal.ge/

http://www.electionsportal.ge/



1. (n (ctober *=0 *1+0 at 11 o9ening 9rocess

%. (n (ctober *=0 *1+0 at 1,- 9rocess o+ 8oting and turnout= as o+ 1%@<<*. (n (ctober *=0 *1+0 at 19 - 9rocess o+ 8oting and turnout as o+ 1)@<<

-. (n (ctober *=0 *1+0 at **+ 9rocess o+ 8oting and closing o+ 9recincts

7. (n (ctober *!0 *1+0 at 9+ 8ote counting and election results

+. "ey #indings

#he 8oting 9rocess !as (ostly conducted in an organied and 9eace+ul en8iron(ent. Ma@ority o& )iolations

detected on the Election Day were procedural in nature. ,e8eral (a;or +la!s in the 9olling 9rocess include

+ailure to adeuately (aintain election (aterials >11* cases?= 9resence o+ unauthoried indi8iduals at election

9recinct >1+ cases?= 8oting !ith ina99ro9riate docu(ents >1* cases?= 8iolation o+ regulations +or sealing election

docu(ents >1* cases? and 9roble(s about 8oter lists in 6atu(i. Further= there !as a trend o+ ga9s in su((ary

9rotocols >1! cases? and re!riting in+or(ation recorded in su((ary 9rotocols >1+ cases?.

I,FE4 detected total o+ *1 8iolations on the Election 4ay= including +9 less i(9ortant 8iolations +or !hich

I,FE4&s obser8ers ex9ressed 8erbal disa99ro8als. For re(aining 1== 8iolations total o+ 9+ co(9laints !ere

+iled in 9recinct and district election co((issions.

otable +indings also include those about (obile ballot boxes as there !ere certain uestions about 9ortable

8oting in the 9ast. I,FE4 !elco(es that a8erage nu(ber o+ 8oters +or each (obile ballot box !as 1$ +or the

%<1* 9residential elections= co(9ared to %1 in %<1%. We +ound that (axi(u( nu(ber o+ 8oters on the list o+

(obile ballot box !as around %<<= a signi+icant reduction +ro( %<1% nu(bers >*<< 9eo9le?. Co(9ared to %<1%=

a8erage nu(ber o+ 8oters registered in the uni+ied list o+ 8oters !as decreased +ro( 32$ to 3$7 9er 9recinct.

According to PV#= 8oter turnout throughout /eorgia !as ,.9%$= in #bilisi ,!.* and ,., in the regions

a signi+icant decrease +ro( the %<1% 9arlia(entary elections !hen 8oter turnout !as .9.

#he Coalition /eorgian 4rea( and 0nited ational Mo8e(ent de9loyed their re9resentati8es to !1.1 and

=!.+ o+ all 9olling stations res9ecti8ely. In %<1% Parlia(entary Elections= these electoral sub;ects obser8ed

Election 4ay 9rocesses at 9+.! and 9.* o+ 9olling stations res9ecti8ely.

,. PT 8esults

(pening o& Precincts

I,FE4&s obser8er re9orts sho!ed signi+icant i(9ro8e(ent in the 9rocess o+ o9ening election 9recincts

co(9ared to the %<1% 9arlia(entary elections.

• All obser8ers o+ I,FE4 >1B !ere able to access

9olling stations and conduct (onitoring. #his is a

signi+icant i(9ro8e(ent +ro( %<1% as during the

26 !ith a (argin o+ error o+ G:"<.3H >at a 37H con+idence le8el?

19



9arlia(entary elections * o+ I,FE4&s obser8ers !ere 9re8enting +ro( accessing 9olling stations and

(onitoring the 9rocess o+ o9ening election 9recincts.

• 9<.= o+ 9olling stations !as ready +or the +irst 8oter by

2a(0 an increase +ro( 91 in %<1%.

• ,(all dra!bacs in o9ening and setting u9 o+ 9olling

stations !as detected only at the slightest 9ortion o+ election 9recincts 1.+B.

• I,FE4&s obser8ers !ere able to (onitor o9ening

9rocedures at 99.! o+ election 9recincts !ithout any

obstacles.

Polling Process

6ased on the analysis o+ in+or(ation collected through (onitoring= it is

sa+e to conclude that 9olling at (ost o+ election 9recincts !as conducted inobser8ance o+ a99licable legal 9rocedures. As noted abo8e= (a;or

dra!bacs o+ the 9olling 9rocess included 8oting !ith ina99ro9riate

docu(ents= +la!s in the 9rocess o+ ining and 9roble(s related to 8oter

lists in 6atu(i.

At 9!. o+ election 9recinct throughout /eorgia= 9olling station sta++

registering 8oters reuired that they 9resent personal identi&ication

documents mandatory &or )oting? at re(aining * no such de(ands

!ere (ade +or certain 8oters.

At 99.1 o+ eelction 9recincts ballots !ere al!ays signed and

sealed0 an increase +ro( 9.< in %<1%.

6allot secrecy !as 9rotected at 9., o+ 9recincts. #here is no

statistically signi+icant di++erence bet!een the rates +ro( %<1% and

%<1* elections.

At 9=., o+ election 9recincts no 9re"(ade signatures !ere +ound on

8oter lists.

The Process o& ote $ounting

20



At 9!.< o+ 9olling stations= there !ere not 8iolations during the counting o+ the 8otes. #his (ars an

i(9ro8e(ent +ro( the %<1% Parlia(entary Elections !hen 9.1 o+ stations did not ha8e 8iolations during

counting.

In 99.! o+ 9olling stations= the electoral materials were properly sealed be&ore being sent to the district

election commissions. In %<1%= the election (aterials !ere 9ro9erly sealed at 9!. o+ 9olling stations.

I,FE4 obser8ers &iled a complaint at 1.9 o+ 9olling stations. In 9olling stations !here co(9laints !ere lodged!.= 9ercent o+ PECs 9ro9erly registered the co(9laints.

oter Turnout

Turnout throughout the country !as ,.9 9ercent !ith a (argin o+ error o+ G:"<.3H >at a 37H con+idence

le8el?. ,!.* 9ercent o+ 8oters had cast a ballot in Tbilisi0 ,., " in the regions >i.e.= outside #bilisi?. #he (ars

signi+icant decrease o+ 8oter turnout +ro( %<1% Parlia(entary Elections !here .9 o+ registered 8oters cast

their ballots.

6y 1%@<<= )oter turnout !as 1.! >!ith a (argin o+ error o+ G:"<.$H?= a decrease +ro( 8oter turnout in %<1%

9arlia(entary elections >*<.<B by 1%@<<. In #bilisi= turnout !as 1<.*= lo!er than 1%@<< turnout during last

elections >*,?. #urnout in the regions >i.e.= exce9t in #bilisi? !as 1=.<= !hile in the %<1% Parlia(entary

Elections= the turnout +or the regions !as *

6y 1)@<<= +!.* o+ )oters ha)e participated >!ith a (argin o+ error o+ G:"1.1H?= a decrease +ro( last year&s

Parlia(entary Elections !hen 8oter turnout by 1)@<< !as <*.1.

oter turnout throughout the country

#inal Election 8esults According to PT

21



/i8en the re9orts about the conduct o+ the Election 4ay 9rocess= I,FE4 is con+ident in releasing PV# 9ro;ections

+or the Presidential Election. #heir PV# 9ro;ections are based on re9orts recei8ed +ro( all 1 o+ I,FE4&s

PV# obser8ers. I,FE4 9resents its 9ro;ections about election results based on PV#. #he (argin o+ error is GF-

.= at a 9< con+idence le8el@

8esults o& the *1+ Presidential Elections

Pro@ections by I'#ED and by the $E$

6elo! are the detailed 9ro;ections +or the to9 $ 9residential candidates. #he +inal results +or each candidate to be

announced by the CEC should +all !ithin the range o+ 9ro;ections@

<. Election Day iolations and $omplaints

I,FE4 detected *1 8iolations%) on the 9olling day. I,FE4&s obser8ers ex9ressed only 8erbal disa99ro8al +or +9

relati8ely (inor 8iolations that !ere i((ediately eli(inated !hile in re(aining 1== cases I,FE4 +iled 9+

co(9laints !ith election co((issions= including 11 co(9laints !ith 9recinct co((issions and !* co(9laints

27 For detailed in+or(ation= 9lease 8isit@ htt9@::!!!.elections9ortal.ge:geo:(a9O(a9$Qcategory<Qdist<Qorg11

22

http://www.electionsportal.ge/geo/map?map=6&category=0&dist=0&org1=1

http://www.electionsportal.ge/geo/map?map=6&category=0&dist=0&org1=1



!ith district co((issions. ne co(9laint !as +iled in court. I,FE4&s complaints mostly sought elimination

o& )iolations and holding commission chairperson0 secretary and other members liable.

Ma;ority o+ 8iolations or 11* cases in8ol8e i(9ro9er 9rocessing:+iling o+ election docu(ents= (ostly by +ailure

to +ill out control sheets 9ro9erly= 9lace the( in ballot boxes= to car8e a seal= and ha8e a 8oter sign along

a99ro9riate line on the 8oter list. Further= obser8ers detected dra!bacs in the 9rocess o+ 9re9aring su((ary

9rotocols in 1! cases. In 9articular= su((ary 9rotocols laced signatures and seals o+ co((ission (e(bers=

!hile in 1+ cases in+or(ation recorded in su((ary 9rotocols !as later !ritten o8er. In 1+ cases obser8ers+ound 9resence o+ unauthoried indi8iduals at election 9recincts. In 1* cases regulations that (andate 8oting

!ith 9ro9er docu(ents and sealing election docu(ents !ere 8iolated. otably= co(9ared to the %<1%

9arlia(entary elections= the %<1* 9residential elections !ere (ared by lo!er nu(ber o+ cases !here ining

!as not 8eri+ied:9er+or(ed= and ballot secrecy !as 8iolatedD nu(ber o+ cases !here obser8ers& rights !ere

restricted or 8oter signatures !ere 9re"(ade !ere also lo!er co(9ared to the last year&s elections. Ma;ority o+

8iolations detected by I,FE4 !ere obser8ed at 8arious election 9recinctsD ho!e8er= I,FE4 identi+ied the

+ollo!ing 1% election 9recincts !here (ulti9le 8iolations o+ 9rocedures !as +ound@ Mtats(inda N%7

Chughureti N% and N%<= 4edo9listsaro N%*= 6olnisi N-)= 4usheti N*1 and N-7= Kharagauli N1*= Resta9oni N%$=

Rugdidi N33= Kobuleti N1- and ,huahe8i N%1 election 9recincts.

iolations Detected by I'#ED

$omplaints &iled inprecinct commissions

#otal o+ 11 a99lications !ere +iled in 9recinct election co((issions o8er 8iolations in 9olling and 8ote counting

9rocedures. Violations !ere eli(inated in = cases= !hile no +urther actions !ere taen in ,. ,ubseuently= !e

+iled co(9laints !ith rele8ant district co((issions seeing i(9osition o+ liability on PEC chair9ersons and

other (e(bers.

23



#he statistics abo8e illustrate that PEC chair9erson mostly reacted adeHuately to applications &iled with the

precinct and too% appropriate measures to eliminate )iolations.

Co(9laints in 9recinct election co((issions !ere +iled o8er the +ollo!ing alleged 8iolations@

Improper processingF&illing o& the electoral documentation= in 9articular i(9ro9er +illing o+ control sheets or

9lace(ent in ballot boxes= +ailure to (ae car8ing on a seal@ N%3 election 9recinct in Mestia Election 4istrict

N$7 election 9recinct in Kutaisi N73 election district N$7D N% election 9recinct in Keda Election 4istrict N2<.

8estriction o& obser)ers7 rights and rights o& other indi)iduals ha8ing the right to be 9resent at 9olling

stations= by hindering obser8ers record co((ents in logboo= at 9olling station N13 in Lagodehi Election

4istrict and at 9olling station N% o+ 6atu(i Election 4istrict= 9ersons !ith the right to be 9resent at 9olling

stations !ere ased to lea8e !ithout any 8alid reason.

oting with improper documents dri8ing license or !ithout I4 card in election 9recinct N%2 in ,ighnaghi

Election 4istrict N1* and election 9recinct N%$ o+ Kas9i Election 4istrict N*<.

Pre-made signature !as detected in election 9recinct N%$ o+ 4idube Election 4istrict N2.

(ther types o& )iolations= including ballot"9a9ers (ared in booths= 8iolation o+ regulations +or recogniing

ballot"9a9er as 8alid or annulling a ballot 9a9er !ere detected in election 9recinct N13 in Lagodehi Election

4istrict N17= election 9recinct N- o+ urgeti Election 4istrict N$<= election 9recinct N$$ o+ 6atu(i Election

4istrict N)3.

6elo! are statistics o+ co(9laints +iled in 9recinct election co((issions o8er 8iolations@

$omplaints &iled in district commissions and in court

I,FE4 +iled !* co(9laints !ith 4ECs. Clai(s !ere granted +ully in ,,= in"9art in 1* and re;ected in ** !hile

+our co(9laints !ere le+t unexa(ined.

24



Co(9laints !ith 4ECs !ere +iled o8er the +ollo!ing 8iolations

8estriction o& obser)ers7 rights and rights o& other indi)iduals ha8ing the right to be 9resent at 9olling

stations= by hindering obser8ers record co((ents in logboo= at 9olling station N-% in Marneuli Election

4istrict N%% and 9olling station N% at 6atu(i Election 4istrict N%.

iolation o& secret ballot= in 9articular= 8oting outside a 9olling booth at election 9recinct N%% o+ Chohatauri

Election 4istrict N$%.

oting with improper documents dri8ing licenses= co9y o+ an I4 card or !ithout an I4 card at election

9recinct N72 o+ ,aburtalo Election 4istrict N*D election 9recinct N%2 o+ ,ighnaghi Election 4istrict N1*D election

9recinct N% o+ #ianeti Election 4istrict N13D election 9recincts N- and N7$ o+ Marneuli Election 4istrict N%%

election 9recinct N%% o+ 4usheti Election 4istrict N%2D election 9recinct N%$ o+ Kas9i Election 4istrict N*<D

election 9recinct N11 o+ Mestia Election 4istrict N-)D election 9recinct N1%< o+ Kutaisi Election 4istrict N73

election 9recinct N1< o+ Mart8ili Election 4istrict N$7D election 9recincts N7 and N%1 o+ 6atu(i Election 4istrict

N)3.

oting without )eri&ication o&Fper&orming in%ing at election 9recincts N*) and N7< o+ Marneuli Election

4istrict N%%D election 9recinct N%< o+ Kas9i Election 4istrict N*<.

Pre-made signatures on )oters7 list at election 9recinct N%% o+ ,aburtalo Election 4istrict N*D election 9recinct

N%$ o+ 4idube Election 4istrict N2.

Presence o& unauthori;ed indi)iduals at polling stations N%= N-= N7= N%1 and N*1 o+ Ahaltsihe Election

4istrict N*).

Improper processingF&illing o& election documents +ailure to +ill out control sheets 9ro9erly or 9lacing the(

in ballot boxes= +ailure to (ae a car8ing on a seal= +ailure to ha8e a 8oter sign along his:her na(e on the 8oter

list= detected at election 9recincts N-= N11= N$$ and N)2 o+ Vae Election 4istrict *%D election 9recincts N-= N17=

N*-= N*2= N*3= N$<= N$2= N)- o+ ,aburtalo Election 4istrict N*D election 9recincts N-= N7= N1%= N*%= N-7= N71=

N$3= N)<= N))= N22 and N1<1 o+ ,a(gori Election 4istrict N$D election 9recincts N11 and N%* o+ ,agare;o

Election 4istrict N11D election 9recinct N2 o+ #ela8i Election 4istrict N1)D election 9recinct N1< o+ Ah(eta

Election 4istrict N12D election 9recincts N)= N2 and N1* o+ 'usta8i Election 4istrict N%<D election 9recincts N%=

N1%= N12= N*2= N-7= N7% and N77 o+ /ardabani Election 4istrict N%1D election 9recincts N1$= N*2= N7*= N)* and

N2< o+ Marneuli Election 4istrict N%%D election 9recincts N1= N%% and N-2 o+ 6olnisi Election 4istrict N%*D

25



election 9recincts N%%= N*<= N*-= N-$ and N-) o+ 4(anisi Election 4istrict N%-D election 9recincts N)= N3 and

N17 o+ Mtsheta Election 4istrict N%)D election 9recincts N1*= N17= N%-= N%$= N*% and N*)o+ 4usheti Election

4istrict N%2D election 9recincts N1= N71= N$* and N2< o+ /ori Election 4istrict N*%D election 9recincts N%%= N%3

and N** o+ Ahaltsihe Election 4istrict *)D election 9recinct N1 o+ Adigeni Election 4istrict N*2D election

9recinct N- o+ As9inda Election 4istrict N*3D election 9recincts N3= N11= N%2= N*%= N*)= N-7= N-$= N-2= N71= N7%

and N7) o+ Ahalalai Election 4istrict N-<D election 9recinct N2 o+ ni Election 4istrict N-*D election 9recinct

N%3 o+ Mestia Election 4istrict N-)D election 9recinct N%- o+ #er;ola Election 4istrict N-3D election 9recinct N$7

o+ Kutaisi Election 4istrict N73D election 9recincts N*= N2= N*$= N*) and N-% o+ ,enai Election 4istrict N$-Delection 9recinct N% o+ Keda Election 4istrict N2<D election 9recincts N%7= N%$= N*<= N*7= N*2= N-$= N7* and N$*

o+ ,enai Election 4istrict N$-D election 9recinct N% o+ Keda Election 4istrict N2<D election 9recinct N12 o+

Khulo Election 4istrict N2-.

iolation o& casting o& lots procedures= detected at election 9recinct N)% o+ 'usta8i Election 4istrict N%<.

#ailure to properly prepare summary protocol= in 9articular= su((ary 9rotocol !as not certi+ied !ith a seal

o+ the co((ission or signed by co((ission chair9erson at +ollo!ing election 9recincts@ N* and N13 in Krtsanisi

Election 4istrict N-D election 9recincts N*$= N-$ and N2* o+ 'usta8i Election 4istrict N%<D election 9recinct N**

o+ Marneuli Election 4istrict N%%D election 9recinct N-= N3 and N-- o+ 6olnisi Election 4istrict N%*D election 9recincts N11 and N*- o+ Khashuri Election 4istrict N*7D election 9recincts N%7 and N*3 o+ #saltubo Election

4istrict N72D election 9recinct N1) o+ Chohatauri Election 4istrict N$%D election 9recincts N2= N%2= N7% and N$<

o+ Kobuleti Election 4istrict N2.

3riting o)er the in&ormation pre)iously recorded in summary protocols = detected at election 9recincts N7)

N$<= N3) and N1<1 o+ /ori Election 4istrict N*%D election 9recincts N1= N$= N1%= N*1= N-%= N-7= N7$ and N$1o+

Ahalalai Election 4istrict N-<D election 9recinct N71 o+ Kutaisi Election 4istrict N73.

iolation o& regulations &or sealing election material= detected at election 9recincts N-= N2= N1*= N17= N12

N%1= N*- and N-7 o+ /ur;aani Election 4istrict N1%D election 9recinct N*< o+ /ardabani Election 4istrict N%1D

election 9recinct N%* o+ Mtsheta Election 4istrict N%)D election 9recinct N1< o+ Ahaltsihe Election 4istrict

N*).

(ther types o& )iolations= including ballot"9a9ers (ared in booths= 8iolation o+ rules +or recogniing a ballot"

9a9er 8alid or annulling it= restricting right o+ 9ersons !ith disabilities to cast a ballot= 8oting +or so(eone else

+ailing to 8eri+y I4 card !hich 9re8ented (any 8oters +ro( 8oting !ere identi+ied at election 9recincts N* and

N) o+ 4edo9listsaro Election 4istrict N1-D election 9recinct N-* o+ 4(anisi Election 4istrict N%-D election

9recinct N1* o+ Kharagauli Election 4istrict N-2D election 9recinct N11 o+ 6aghdati Election 4istrict N7%

election 9recinct N1- o+ Vani Election 4istrict N7*D election 9recinct N%2 o+ Mart8ili Election 4istrict N$7

election 9recinct N$$ o+ 6atu(i Election 4istrict N)3.

As noted abo8e= +our co(9laints !ere le+t unexa(ined by As9inda= ,aburtalo= #ianeti and Adigeni 4istrict

Election Co((issions. Further= As9inda and Adigeni 4ECs i(9osed disci9linary liability on (e(bers o+

rele8ant co((issions on their o!n as 8iolations o8er !hich these co(9laints !ere +iled had in +act occurred.

26



We +iled in court o8er a decision o+ 6atu(i 4EC to lea8e three co(9laints +iled by I,FE4 unexa(ined. #he

court granted the clai( and annulled the 4EC&s decision= ordering the latter to exa(ine co(9laints +iled by

I,FE4.

elow are statistics o& )iolations o)er which I'#ED &iled in DE$s

In its complaints I'#ED sought the &ollowing

All complaints &iled with PE$s sought elimination o& )iolations and ta%ing o& &urther actions0 while

ma@ority o& complaints &iled in DE$s sought imposition o& disciplinary liability on DE$ members.

6ased on 8iolations identi+ied by I,FE4= 1=, (e(bers o+ election co((issions !ere i(9osed !ith disci9linaryliability= including 11 co((ission chair9ersons. #he ty9e o+ disci9linary liability ordered (ost o+ten >in 11+

cases? !as re9roo+= including 9, issued to a co((ission chair9erson= 1$ against secretary and 1! against other

co((ission (e(bers. In 1, cases salaries o+ PEC (e(bers !ere cut= including +ully in one case.

Annul(ent o+ su((ary 9rotocol and re8ision o+ 9olling results due to inaccurate and +la!ed su((ary

9rotocols !as sought in nine cases. one o+ the clai(s +or annul(ent o+ su((ary 9rotocols !as granted as in

(ost o+ the cases 9olling results !ere re8ie!ed and re8ised in abidance to a99licable 9rocedures.

In one o+ the cases that in8ol8ed election 9recinct N$ o+ Lanchuti Election 4istrict= ballot box !as annulled on

the basis o+ a co(9laint +iled by I,FE4.

Trends in application process

In (a;ority o+ cases 4ECs ordered light 9enalties lie re9roo+s and !arnings.

4EC decisions !ere (ostly substantiated= !ith the exce9tion o+ decisions o+ #ianeti= Marneuli and

4edo9litsaro 4ECs.

27



In general= co(9laints +iled by I,FE4 !ere re)iewed in compliance with applicable legal procedures0 with

only minor e/ceptions. 4ECs exa(ined +actual circu(stances= su((oned and exa(ined !itnesses. I,FE4&s

re9resentati8e !ere allo!ed to attend the co(9laints re8ie! and ex9ress the 9osition o+ the organiation o8er

indi8idual co(9laints +iled.

CII. $onclusions and 8ecommendations

Election legislation it is i(9ortant to continue !oring +or i(9ro8ing election la!s and election en8iron(entincluding !ith res9ect to 8oter list regulationsD in 9articular= nor(s that a99ly to setting u9 o+ s9ecial 9recinct

should be elaborated and the list o+ 9eo9le authoried to 8ote at s9ecial 9recincts should be narro!ed do!n.

Further= (ilitary ser8ice(en should be 9rohibited +ro( 9artici9ating in (a;oritarian and sel+"go8ern(ent

elections i+ they are stationed in election 9recinct outside the 9lace o+ their registration. #his is an i(9ortant

issue in light o+ the u9co(ing sel+"go8ern(ent elections.

In order to rule out use o+ state resources in +a8or o+ a 9arty as (uch as 9ossible= 9artici9ation o+ 9ublic ser8ants

in agitation should be li(itedD in 9articular= list o+ 9olitical o++ice holders outlined by the Election Code should

be narro!ed do!n and s9eci+ic de+inition o+ the ter( Jagitation should be o++ered.

It is i(9ortant to re8ise dis9utes cha9ter o+ the Election Code in order to elaborate a(biguous nor(s and

s9eci+y nor(s that regulate election dis9utes to 9re8ent election co((issions +ro( !rong+ully a99lying these

nor(s and lea8ing co(9laints unexa(ined.

Indi8idual 9rocedures o+ 9olling should be si(9li+ied to 9re8ent (istaes by election co((ission (e(bers

!hich (ay be caused in 9art by co(9lexity o+ a99licable regulations.

The election system in 8ie! o+ the u9co(ing sel+"go8ern(ent elections it is i(9ortant to start discussions +or

choosing election syste(. In this res9ect= the inter"+actional tas +orce on elections should be restored or another

tas +orce should be set u9 !ithin the 9arlia(ent o+ /eorgia= in !hich all staeholders in addition to MPs !ill

be able to 9artici9ate and re8ie! in ex9iated (anner election syste(s to choose +ro(.

Election Administration +or the election ad(inistration to de8elo9 into a uali+ied and ob;ecti8e agency

regulations +or recruit(ent o+ election ad(inistration (e(bers at all le8els should be re8ised. e! regulations

should +ocus on recruit(ent based on 9ro+essional ualities to 9ro(ote 9ro+essionalis( o+ election co((issions

and their +reedo( +ro( 9olitical in+luence.

In order to eli(inate all 9rocedural +la!s o+ the Elections 4ay= (ore attention should be 9aid to training o+ PEC

(e(bers.

oters7 2ist I,FE4 belie8es that signi+icant !or should be 9er+or(ed to i(9ro8e 8oter list= including

through door"to"door ca(9aigns and use o+ bio(etric in+or(ation +or 9re9aring 8oter lists. Further= the

authorities= the CEC= in 8ie! o+ interests o+ 8oters residing abroad= should co(e u9 !ith alternati8e (eans o+

8oting.

28

isfed final report

Documents