GYLA continues to monitor the course of election day at 36 Election districs in regions and Tbilisi.
Polling process is taking place in a calm environment.
As for 15:00, procedural violations are identified in several precincts. During the last several hours, GYLA’s observers revealed several types of violations and drafted complaints. According to our observations, violations were mainly conditioned by ignorance of Elections Code.
Problems regarding filling out contol sheet
Problems were identified regarding filling out control sheet. In Martvili #35 and Gurjaani #28 PEC, control sheet was dropped in ballot box without indication of time. GYLA observers drafted complaints on the above mentioned fact.
Voting instead of another person
Voter was unable to ballot at Didube #24 PEC, as the signature was already detected across his/hers name.
Problems regarding mobile-box voter-lists
At #31 PEC of Chokhatauri Distctict, problems were detected regarding mobile box lists. Voters, included in mobile box lists, were not identified in applications.
Instances of physical violence between observers
Physical clash was observed outside Krtsanisi #26, PEC between representatives of two observer organizations –International Observatory of Attorneys and Future Choice.
Problems regarding complaints‘ submission
At #4 precinct of Khelvachauri District, secretary of the commission refused to register a complaint. As a result, responsibility of the secretary has been demanded. Disorder was observed at #24 precinct of Chughureti District, where the secretary refused to register a complaint of one of the election subjects, arguing that the violation took place outside the polling place. At Chughureti # 23 PEC while submitting a complaint, the commission issued complaint submission note, without corresponding requisitions. Note was lacking the signature of the secretary of the commission and the relevant stamp.
Voting with irrelevant documentations
At Nadzaladevi #100 special precint, 6 persons voted with copy versions of ID Cards. Complaint has been drafted on the fact. At Nadzaladevi #77 PEC, GYLA’s observers detected an attempt to vote by the driving license. With interference of GYLA observer, the fact has been eliminated.
Violations of casting lots procedures
At Khelvachauri #4 and 14 PECs procedural violations of casting lots has been identified. In both cases, disciplinary responsibility has been demanded.
Different type of procedural violations while polling
At the building of Rustavi District # 27 presinct an announcement was displayed about Akaki Asatiani removing his candidacy. After remark made by GYLA’s observer, the deficiency was eliminated immediately. Violation was also observed in Didube district # 4 presinct, where Nino Burjanadze’s name was marked in the list of candidates in the polling booth. Upon the demand of GYLA’s observer the violation was eliminated immediately.
Other important violations of the polling process
There are cases when local observing organizations are represented by more than 1 observer at the presincts, which is violation of law. Similar facts are detected in Chughureti and Didube districts. Among these organizations are “Former Political Prisoners for Human Rights”, “Green Land”, “Free Choice” and “International Observatory of Attorneys and Lawyers”.
By 9:00 a.m., in presinct # 73 of Saburtalo district, group of people were mobilized who were recording persons coming to vote. Hereby, we’ll explain, that the above mentioned conduct is interpreted as an indirect control over the voters’ choice, which is completely irrelevant.
Up to now GYLA’s observers already drafted 20 pieces of complaints of observed violations and registered more than 40 pieces of remarks in the special log book.
From the date of its establishment in 1994, GYLA is active in monitoring legislative, executive and local government’s elections and stives to support conduct of elections in a peaceful and fair environment with observance of Georgian legislation.
On October 27th, the Presidential Election Day , GYLA will have more than 400 observers at 36 presincts of Tbilisi and 8 regions.
On-site observers are placed throughout the whole territory of Georgia in more than 220 polling stations, whereas mobile groups are observing 36 polling stations. GYLA is also monitoring the special polling stations, in the districts of ethnic minorities and polling stations of those districts where gross violations were reported during previous elections.
It should be noted that a hot-line is operating on the election day through which both citizens and journalists can get legal consultations about polling procedures.
Hot-line number is: 218-26-11
In addition, all the relevant information about elections will be posted on www.electionsportal.ge, where anyone can report about witnessed violations by filling in the online form and by sending the free SMS to 90039.
GYLA plans to organize two more briefings on the Election Day observation results at the NGO Media Center (at the address: 34/36 Kobuleti Street).
Next briefings will be at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. and on October 28th GYLA will sum up the election observation results at the briefing scheduled at 12:00 p.m.
