Double votes and threats: International observers express concern over Georgia elections

A delegation of international observers confirmed the existence of various problems in the electoral process of the elections held last night in Georgia Ruling Georgian Dream PartyReceived majority.

Although members of the delegation said that, in general, the election day was well organized, they noted atmosphere of tension and pressure Several cases of intimidation and procedural anomalies were reported before, as well as during the day of the election.

“During our observation, We see cases of vote buying And Double voting before and during electionsEspecially in rural areas,” Iulian Bulai said.

He said the presence of cameras inside polling stations contributed to creating an atmosphere of pressure. An observer from his delegation found his car destroyed While evaluating.

In 24% of the cases analyzed by a delegation from the OECD Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, voter confidentiality was found to be compromised.

Antonio López-Isturiz White, representing a delegation of European Parliament observers, noted the tense and highly polarized atmosphere for voters: “Although, outwardly, the campaign was quite discreet, There were indications that efforts were being made to undermine and manipulate the vote,

Additional financial resources for the ruling party

Observers noted the existence of an uneven playing field in which the party in power, Georgian Dream had enormous financial resources Before the elections.

He noted that although all Georgian national media had a clear political bias, spent too much time on screens

For the ruling party before the elections.

“There were reports of misuse of public resources and administrative capacity for the benefit of the ruling party. pressure was put on government officials “To attend campaign events and vote,” Lopez-Isturiz White said. He said there was evidence that institutions such as the newly created Anti-Corruption Office were being “exploited for political purposes.”

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said 529 observers had been deployed to Georgia, including 12 delegations from the European Parliament.

Observers analyzed the pre-election environment, including media coverage of election campaigns as well as proceedings that took place on the same day. The delegation declined to answer questions about the impact of its findings on the formation of a new government in Georgia, but confirmed it would prepare a separate report and monitor the post-election environment.

Their findings are likely to add fuel to the fire

As for the Georgian opposition parties, which have challenged the results of the country’s electoral commission, which gave Georgian Dream a comfortable majority.

Georgian Dream denies that the election was riggedPrime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze declared after the results: “Georgians chose the only option for which there was no alternative; they chose peace and development of the country, its bright European future.”