The voting process was well organized on election day in Georgia, and it should be noted that voters were actively trained and informed about the use of new technologies. However, it is worth noting that there was a significant imbalance in financial resources, and the advantage of the party in power already created an unequal space for action, said OSCE coordinator Pascal Alizar, as reported by Georgia’s First Channel.
According to Alizar, the election administration made significant efforts to provide voters with information before election day.
“On October 26, the parliamentary elections gave voters a fairly wide choice, as there were 18 candidates on the list. However, there was polarization and an atmosphere heavily influenced by the recently adopted legislation. It is also worth noting that candidates were generally able to campaign freely, but the campaign rhetoric, images and images were significantly divisive. During the campaign, there were widespread cases of pressure on voters, civil servants and public sector workers. Also, the registration of voters on election day raises questions about whether some voters were able to vote without fear and retribution. As for the legal framework, it provided an adequate basis for holding democratic elections, but frequent and recent amendments do raise questions about the use of this legislation for political purposes,” the OSCE representative noted.
At the same time, according to Pascal Alizar, the election day was well organized.
The OSCE observer noted that the election day was generally well organized and administered, despite the fact that polarization remains an important issue in the political arena, and voters had a wide choice due to the diversity of political voices.
“The media environment reflected deep polarization, and the use of media as tools for political propaganda, along with the lack of impartial analysis of party platforms and the refusal of parties to participate in debates, increased tensions, affecting the ability of voters to make more informed decisions. Overall, the election day was well organized and administered, but marked by a tense atmosphere and many instances of intimidation. “Yesterday, electronic devices were used for the first time in most polling stations, and the election administration made significant efforts to provide voters with information before election day. In conclusion, I sincerely hope that the leadership elected yesterday will effectively address the major challenges facing the country and bring Georgia closer to its goals of joining the European Union,” the OSCE representative added.