IRI publishes final report on Georgian parliamentary elections
Drawing from expert observations before, during and after Election Day, IRI has released its final report informed by six long-term analysts deployed to Georgia between September and November 2020. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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The International Republican Institute (IRI), which conducted a Technical Election Assessment Mission (TEAM) during Georgia’s 2020 national parliamentary elections last year, has published its final report today.
The report, which is based on observation of six long-term analysts (LTAs) deployed in Tbilisi between September and November 2020, says that ‘the pre-election period was by-and-large peaceful and politically competitive, with few incidents of violence’.
Political parties and candidates ‘were able to organise and campaign freely and citizens had access to a variety of political news media and information’.
However, ‘an insufficient number of substantive candidate debates and a highly polarise media environment meant election content centered on personalities and rhetoric rather than policies and citizen concerns’.
.@IRIglobal's final report of #Georgia's October elections reveals both victories & the need for improvement.
— IRI (@IRIglobal) March 11, 2021
Read about the milestones this election marked and the work left to be done, according to 6 long-term analysts ➡️ https://t.co/Stgo7nxAUx
IRI also says in its report that on October 31 Georgians ‘showed their enthusiasm for democracy by going to the polls despite the potential exposure to COVID-19’.
Electoral management bodies instituted safety measures to stem the spread of COVID-19 prior to and on Election Day. The Central Election Commission (CEC), electoral subjects and voters proved adaptable in addressing and responding to the challenges created by the COVID-19. Voters expressed their enthusiasm to vote, according to safety procedures, despite the health risks”, the report reads.
Praising the CEC’s ‘flexibility during a global pandemic to facilitate voting for the quarantined, self-isolated and infected’ IRI notes that ‘the climate of intimidation, reports of abuse of state administrative resources, episodes of violence against journalists, and imbalanced results summary protocols detracted from the above-referenced achievements’.
Weaknesses were also identified in the management, verification, and certification of results. Analysis of precinct level results tabulation and verification systems and summary protocol documents identified susceptibility to manipulation”, IRI says.
It further notes that ‘credible observer groups and numerous interlocutors with whom IRI met throughout the assessment period reported irregularities, including allegations of coercion and intimidation of civil servants, misuse of state administrative resources, and interference of party observer representatives among other anomalies’.
Georgia held parliamentary elections last year. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Nevertheless, based on the report ‘the reforms enacted prior to the 2020 election were ‘a first step to creating a more free, equal, and representative electoral playing field that, if effectively enforced, could have the potential to positively impact Georgia’s democratic trajectory’.
IRI calls on the newly formed Government of Georgia to ‘work in earnest to address shortcomings identified by observers and implement recommendations to improve future electoral processes’.
It also says that ‘by prioritizing recommendations, enacting further reforms to address irregularities, and implementing new reforms according to the spirit and intent of the law, public trust and confidence in electoral outcomes can be restored’.
Democracy is both resilient and fragile but through substantive engagement in the legislative process, strengthening governing institutions through diverse representation, and prioritizing citizen needs over political rivalries, Georgia can cement a sustainable path to democracy and full European integration”, IRI reports.
IRI Regional Director for Eurasia Stephen Nix has also stated that ‘this October, Georgians took to the polls for the first time since passing key reforms to enhance the transparency and competition of future elections’.
Nix has added as well that ‘though far from perfect, the reforms marked a milestone for Georgia and brought forth a more democratic and pluralistic pre-election period than in years past’.