Results of observation of the polling day of the second round as of 8 PM

According to information provided by the GYLA’s observers as of 8 PM, polling procedures were still proceeding with significant violations in certain precincts. 

More than 100 violations have been observed 8 pm. The violations mainly concern the secrecy of the vote, control of voters’ will, interference with the exercise of observers’ powers, and procedural issues.

As a general trend, similarly to the first round, mobilization of unidentified individuals can be observed in areas adjacent to polling stations across Georgia. The GYLA’s observers are not allowed to exercise their powers, and in several cases they have even been threatened with damaging their health.

At this stage, the observers of the GYLA’s monitoring mission have filed 24 complaints in total – 14 complaints at the PECs and 10 at the DECs, and made more than 80 remarks. Below we give a relatively long account of the most important violations observed in the period from 7 AM to 8 PM:

Interference with the exercise of observers’ powers:

Control of voters’ will:  

Violation of the secrecy of the vote:

Other violations include:

Violations related to measures to be taken against the Covid-19 pandemic:

 

The GYLA’s Observation Mission on the polling day 

The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association will be observing the second round of the election of the Parliament of Georgia in more than 1,100 precincts of 12 districts (and in 3 supporting districts).

The GYLA’s monitoring mission consists of 214 individuals, 19 of whom are members of the central headquarters and 19 are members of regional headquarters; 14 individuals are DEC observers; 116 are mobile observers and 46 are static precinct observers.

The GYLA will pay particular attention to the observance of electoral procedures (the process of opening of the polls, voting, and summarization of voting results) as well as monitor the developments unfolding in areas adjacent to polling stations. In connection with revealed violations, the organization will also use the mechanism of strategic litigation in DECs and courts. 

On Election Day, the GYLA will also be operating a hotline number for journalists and media organizations. By calling at the hotline, journalists and media organizations will be able to receive information they are interested in and legal consultation regarding electoral procedures, violations on the polling day, and ways of responding to them.

The hotline number is 577 36 15 20.

The GYLA will release a final statement on the process of Election Day observation at the end of the day and one statement on the day after the elections. The Chairperson of the GYLA will evaluate the process of elections through the media and, in necessary, will also hold a press conference.

 

The GYLA’s monitoring mission of the polling day of the second round of the parliamentary elections was made possible with the financial support of the embassies of Norway and Great Britain, the EU Delegation to Georgia, and the Open Society Georgia Foundation. The opinions expressed in the statement are those of the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association and its content may not express the views of the donor organizations.


ჯ. კახიძის #15, თბილისი, საქართველო, 0102 ; ტელ: (995 32) 95 23 53; ფაქსი: (995 32) 92 32 11; ელ-ფოსტა: gyla@gyla.ge; www.gyla.ge
15, J. Kakhidze str. 0102, Tbilisi, Georgia. Tel: (995 32) 95 23 53; Fax: (995 32) 92 32 11; E-mail: gyla@gyla.ge; www.gyla.ge