ISFED presents 2nd interim report on official pre-election monitoring of 2021 Elections

By Natalia Kochiashvili

Friday, September 24

Withing the Free Legal Aid project, the organization has 19 lawsuits filed in the courts across the country to protect the rights of public servants from state or municipal LEPLs, LEDs, the public schools who were sacked, likely on political grounds.

U.S. Embassy expressed doubts on the Georgian Government’s commitment to democratic election process.

The local watchdog International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) has released its second interim report on the upcoming October 2 local elections, covering a period from August 31 through September 21. The document highlights several possible violations, including violence, alleged cases of political pressure and dismissals.

Throughout the country ISFED identified 2 cases of violence; 20 instances of alleged political pressure or threats; 5 cases of alleged vote-buying; 12 instances of participation of unauthorized persons in the election campaign and 1 of participation by the incumbent official; 4 possible dismissals on political grounds; 5 alleged facts of politicization of educational institutions; 3 alleged cases of the use of administrative resources and damaging of agitation materials.

ISFED reported illegal interference with journalistic activities. In particular, the document discussed the case when an operator of the opposition-minded TV Pirveli channel was ‘deliberately hit by a car on September 7 in Tbilisi’, while ‘Mtavari Arkhi TV crew was allegedly attacked at the Georgian Dream Kareli office on September 15.’

The pre-election campaign was also ‘significantly shaken’ by the leaking of alleged State Security Service leaked files. Document also recalled TV Pirveli's September 11 report on the SSS allegedly collecting information about the political views of educational institutions’ employees and the party activities of their family, which supposedly resulted in dismissals in several cases.

Dismissals, pressure, and threats based on political grounds, particularly against opposition candidates, are a persistent trend, according to the organization. It also noted the involvement of unregistered voters in the election campaign, which is generally favorable to the ruling party.

The watchdog also appealed to the Central Election Commission and the Audit Office to look into and respond to the September 17 distribution of banners depicting media figures and opposition politicians against a bloody backdrop. As of September 21, ISFED has filed 27 complaints to election commissions and other relevant agencies to address the alleged violations, and also lodged 19 lawsuits in courts, over the individuals who have allegedly been dismissed over political grounds.

The interim report reads that much like in previous elections, the nature of the violations observed during the pre-election period is getting worse. ISFED monitors have also observed attacks against opposition supporters, including the Dmanisi stabbings.

In particular, According to the member of the United National Movement-led group Strength in Unity Kakha Okriashvili, 20 to 30 Georgian Dream supporters descended on a meeting with the UNM's local mayoral candidate Giorgi Tatuashvili in Village Gantiadi near Dmanisi town. He claimed that the son of Davit Dautashvili, Georgian Dream's local majoritarian candidate, attacked 2 of their supporters. Mtavari Arkhi TV showed footage of a scuffle allegedly between GD and UNM activists. The Interior Ministry has yet to respond to the news.

Georgian Dream chair Irakli Kobakhidze urged reporters that ‘a culprit must be punished’ in response to the event in Gantiadi village, Dmanisi Municipality. “There is no justification for the heinous actions seen in Dmanisi... It makes no difference who performs such a thing, whose political party they belong to…” When asked about claims that the ruling party supports violence against the opposition, MP Kobakhidze pointed fingers at the United National Movement, claiming that it is the force that is ‘encouraging violence.

Another incident happened simultaneously - Rustavi mayoral candidate Davit Kirkitadze said that a man was fired a few days ago from a public-funded agency under Rustavi City Hall, threatened and subsequently assaulted outside his house yesterday for supporting the opposition party. “This is the handwriting of the Georgian Dream,” Kirkitadze said. GD’s Rustavi mayoral candidate Nino Latsabidze denied the accusation as ‘absurd.’

Responding to this event and pre-election developments in the country, the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi condemned the ‘violent, seemingly politically motivated attacks which took place in Dmanisi and Rustavi.’ The statement reads that this, along with numerous reports of pressure and intimidation against opposition candidates and their supporters throughout the country, ‘raises serious doubts about the government’s commitment to a safe, fair pre-election environment and a democratic election process.’

“Violence is unacceptable in an election campaign. The government bears primary responsibility for creating an environment that protects individuals’ rights and ensures a free, fair, competitive election that voters can have confidence in.“

The Embassy called on the Government of Georgia to redouble its efforts to ensure that candidates and their supporters can exercise their democratic rights of free speech and assembly, without threats of intimidation, harassment, or violence, and take proactive steps to hold accountable those who commit election violations.

Statement also reminded that all parties have a civic duty to promote a peaceful atmosphere in which citizens can discuss the issues, express their preferences, and choose their candidates free from the threat of violence and intimidation.