From the date of its establishment in 1994, GYLA actively observes the elections of legislative, executive and local self-government bodies and works to support conducting the elections in a calm, fair environment and to support a steadfast protection of the legislation of Georgia during the electoral processes. 

 

On June 15, Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association conducted the observation of the Local Self-Government Elections in Tbilisi and in 40 districts of 10 regions of Georgia through up to 500 observers.    

 

Despite a number of violations, the electoral process was mainly calm. Voters had the possibility of freely expressing their will. In a majority of cases the election administration was adequately responding to the remarks given by GYLA observers and was subsequently eliminating the electoral violations. In case of elimination of a violation after a remark, as a rule, GYLA observers do not write complaints. Grave violations were not widespread.  

 

Especially grave violations occurred at the precinct #16 of the Martvili District (ballots were stolen), at the precinct #32 of the Zugdidi District (the voting process was disrupted), at the precinct #22 of the Khoni District (the polling station was raided), at the precinct #19 of the Khoni District (there were attempts of breaking into the polling station and breaking the door), at the precinct #14 of the Telavi District (forging the signatures), threatening the observer (at the precinct #32 of the Samgori District and the precinct #27of the Khulo District). 

 

It is notable, that upon the completion of the voting process, the “Georgian Dream” celebrated the victory, based on the exit poll results. Although the Election Code does not prohibit to publicize the preliminary results, we consider that announcing the elections to be flawless and celebrating the victory based on the exit polls is incorrect and unreasonable action. 

 

GYLA observers submitted 150 complaints and wrote 127 remarks in the electoral logbooks. The complaints and remarks mainly related to the following violations:

 

• Interference in the observation/limitation of an observer right - (10 cases);

• Violations relating to the procedure of casting of lots - (10 cases);

• Problems relating to filling out the control sheets - (24 cases); 

• Presence of unauthorized persons at the polling stations – (19 cases);

• Participating in the elections through an improper documentation - (3 cases);

• Voting by unauthorized persons - (2 cases);

• Problems relating to the mobile ballot box voting -  (2 cases);

• Campaigning at the polling station – (4 cases); 

• Voting without an inking (1 case); 

• Problems relating to the electoral lists - (4 cases); 

• Improper performance of the commission member functions – (3 cases); 

• Indirect influence on the voters’ will – (9 cases); 

• Interference in the operation of the precinct election commission – (2 cases); 

• Violating the rules of delivering an electoral documentation to the districts – (3 cases); 

• Destroying the electoral inventory and raiding the polling station – (2 cases); 

• Other violations are indicated in the complaints as well.

 

During the vote counting and summarizing the election results, unknown persons broke into the polling station #22 of the Khoni District; the polling station was raided and the ballot box was broken. GYLA publicized the special (emergency) statement on the developments in the Khoni District and called upon the law-enforcement bodies for an immediate response. According to the information available to GYLA observers, there was a serious danger of specific persons breaking into the polling stations and disrupting the vote counting and summarizing process in Khoni District.  There was an attempt of illegally entering the polling station #19 of the Khoni District. GYLA informed the CEC of the above and called upon the law-enforcement bodies for an immediate response. 

 

After opening the ballot box at the precinct #34 of the Kobuleti District, it was revealed that 61 ballots taken out of the envelopes had chairperson’s stamp instead of the registrator’s signature. Due to this violation we submitted the complaint requesting invalidation of the polling station results. 

 

GYLA observers’ observation right was violated during the vote counting as well. For example, at the precinct #32 of the Samgori District, the commission member threatened GYLA observer, saying that her son works in the security forces and saying: “I will spoil your life“.

 

 

Following the summarizing of the elections, GYLA will publicize an entire report, presenting the comprehensive analysis of the pre-election period, election day, complaint consideration and the process of summarizing the election results. Based on that report GYLA will provide the electoral administration and the government with the recommendations, aimed at ensuring more democratic, free and fair electoral environment. 

 

 

GYLA Local Self-Government Election and Post-Election Observation Mission was made possible with the support of the American people through funding of the “United States Agency for International Development” (USAID). The opinions expressed in the statement belong to the „Georgian Young Lawyers‘ Association“ and may not represent those of the USAID or the Government of the United States.