Central Election Commission Responds to Media Reports on Smartmatic
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
The Central Election Commission of Georgia (CEC) has issued a statement addressing recent media reports concerning the international company Smartmatic. The reports refer to federal charges announced by the US Department of Justice on August 8 against Smartmatic executives and the former Chairman of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) of the Philippines. These charges include allegations of bribery and money laundering connected to the 2016 Philippine elections.
The CEC asserted that these reports are being used manipulatively to create a negative perception of electronic elections.
According to the CEC, Smartmatic has no formal or legal connection with Georgia's election administration and media reports have inaccurately linked Smartmatic and its current internal disputes with the Georgian election process. The CEC clarified that the dispute involves specific individuals who are no longer with the company and does not concern the company's election technology.
The CEC emphasized that the integrity of the electronic voting machines used in Georgia's elections is not in question. An audit by the American firm Pro V&V last year confirmed that the election technologies used are compliant with local laws and international standards. Additionally, Georgia's electoral legislation ensures that all stages of voting include a paper trail, and ballots will be manually counted.
The CEC urges the public and election stakeholders to avoid spreading unfounded accusations that could undermine the election process.
According to CEC, Smartmatic, which was selected through a tender process, has extensive experience in election technology across over 30 countries, including the USA, Canada, Belgium, and several others. The CEC calls for all parties to collaborate responsibly and not damage the election environment with baseless claims.
