The voting process was mostly peaceful by 10:00. Majority of the polling stations observed by GYLA were ready for the first voter on time. Majority of those polling stations were properly equipped with electoral materials.

However, a number of electoral violations were revealed by now, as well as a number of attempts to control voters’ will (mostly in Tbilisi).

 

Controlling Voters’ Will

According to our observers, allegedly, there are attempts to control voters’ will, in particular: the representatives of political parties “Georgian Dream”, “Leftist Alliance” and observer organization “New Word” are stending near the registrators or queue supervisors and copying the voter data (allegedly – voters’ identity and the voters’ list registration number).

These facts confirm the information, shared with GYLA days before the Election Day, speculating anticipated attempts to control voters’ will.

By now, such facts were observerd at the following polling stations: #6 Didube; #61, 70, 13 Nadzaladevi; #4 Mtatsminda; #19 Krtsanisi; #35, #36 Didube. Our observers have logged remarks to the electoral logbooks and as a result, the attempts to control voters’ will were stopped in some cases.

It is crucial for the precinct chairperson and the upper electoral commissions to strictly supervise the situation and ensure a proper response in each case.

 

Attempts to Vote with Inapplicable Documentation

A voter arrived to the #18 Nadzaladevi polling station and was allowed in with a driving license. The voter’s data was copied to the Control Sheet. Afterwards, the voting process was suspended and the new Control Sheet was requested from the district election commission. GYLA lodged the complaint on this case.

 

Observer Rights

GYLA’s observer was not being allowed to enter the #113 Gldani special precinct at 07:00. The observer was told that the relevant identity information was not included on the prison list. However, the observer was allowed to enter sometime later.

GYLA’s observer was also not allowed to enter #16 Kobuleti polling station, arguing that the casting of lots was supposed to be held beforehand.

 

Delays in Opening the Polling Station

The opening of the #90 Gori polling station was delayed. The precinct election commission chairperson arrived 20 minutes late.

The #38 Batumi and #49 Nadzaladevi polling stations were also opened late.

 

Violation in Casting of Lots

At the Nadzaladevi #14 polling station, the commission members, appointed by the political parties “European Georgia” and the “United National Movement” have refused to participate in the casting of lots for the mobile ballot box.

At the Nadzaladevi #4 polling station, the positions were swapped arbitrarily between the commission members.

 

Issues, related to the Mobile Ballot List

Three individuals have arrived to the Mtatsminda #19 polling station, protesting that their ailing family members (who were unable to visit the polling station) were not included on the mobile ballot box list. They claimed having registered relevant applications with the precinct, as well as the central election commissions.

 

By now, GYLA observers have lodged 6 complaints and 9 remarks to the logbooks.

Since its establishment in 1994, GYLA actively observes the elections of the legislative, executive and local governments and works towards promoting peaceful, fair electoral environment and full compliance with the electoral legislation of Georgia.

On October 21/2017 local elections, GYLA observes the Election Day processes in Tbilisi and 9 regions – Kakheti, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Kvemo Kartli, Shida Kartli, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, Guria, Imereti and Adjara.

Static observers are deployed to over 300 polling stations and 46 electoral districts. Additionally, through 150 mobile group observers GYLA monitors the problematic polling stations in 46 districts and the developments surrounding them.

Given the organization’s observation experience, we particularly emphasize the polling stations that turned out to be problematic during the previous elections.[1] Additionally, GYLA observes the compact settlements of ethnic minorities and the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). This year for the first time, GYLA observes the issue of adaptation of the polling stations, to the needs of the persons with disabilities. GYLA also prioritizes monitoring the electoral engagement of the female candidates.

On the Election Day, GYLA operates the hotline for the citizens, through which it provides the legal consultations on the electoral procedures. GYLA also operates the hotline for the journalists and media organizations. The hotline allows the beneficiaries to receive interesting information and legal consultation regarding the electoral procedures, potential election day violations and methods of responding to them; beneficiaries can also report a violation through the hotline.

On the election day, GYLA’s electoral-analytical database collects and analyzes the information in real time, based on the data, uploaded by the observers and monitors from all the regions of Georgia.

 

Hotline Number: 032 2 18 26 30

Also, visit www.electionsportal.ge for the complete information about the election day violations, where you can upload the information about violations, through online form or free of charge SMS you can text to the following number: 90039.

Throughout the day, GYLA will hold 4 press-conferences regarding the progress of the Election Day observation. The press-conferences will be held in the NGO Media Center (address: Shalva Dadiani #2/1).

The press-conference schedule on October 21 is the following: 10:00, 14:00, 18:00 and 21:00. On October 22, at 12:00, GYLA will hold the press-conference to evaluate the entire Election Day.

GYLA’s Observation Mission for the 2017 Local Elections was made possible through the funding, provided by the EU, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, Norwegian Embassy in Baku, National Endowment for Democracy (NED), US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Open Society Georgia Foundation (OSGF). The opinions expressed in the statement belong to the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) and its content may not reflect the opinion of its donor organizations.

 

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[1] Those precincts were identified in accordance with the violations, revealed by GYLA during the previous elections.