US on Pros and Cons of Georgian Elections
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Thursday, November 1
The US Embassy in Georgia has released a statement regarding the 28 presidential elections in Georgia, which reads that the embassy takes note of the preliminary conclusions of the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission that the October 28 presidential elections were competitive and professionally administered, offering voters a genuine choice.
“We share international and domestic observer organizations’ concerns about shortcomings in the election process, such as mobilization of voters through inappropriate means and instances of misuse of administrative resources, and stress the importance of addressing these shortcomings in the second round,” the statement reads.
The embassy says that the US will continue to monitor the election environment in Georgia closely.
“It is important that the second round of presidential elections be conducted in line with international standards, allowing all Georgian citizens to express their wills freely at the ballot box.
“The US Embassy supports the government of Georgia, civil society, and the Georgian people in advancing the country’s democratic and economic development, including through the conduct of free and fair elections,” reads the statement.
The Central Election Commission of Georgia has counted 100 per cent of votes and the results show that the Georgian Dream supported candidate Salome Zurabishvili received 38.6 per cent of the vote and her opponent from the opposition Grigol Vashadze received 37.7 percent of the vote.
The outcome means that a runoff will be held.
The CEC has stated that the runoff must be held no later than December 2nd.
