Statement on the Post-Electoral Situation in Georgia

Electoral Transparency expresses its concerns over the deterioration of the situation in Georgia as citizens protest the suspension of negotiations for the country to join the European Union.

We condemn the incidents of November 16th, when the Chairperson of the CEC, Giorgi Kalandarishvili was splashed with paint during an official event, which resulted in an eye injury, as well as the protest in front of Mr. Kalandarishvili’s residence. Election officials must be able to freely carry out their duties in the post-electoral phase, particularly in the current circumstances. 

All international organizations, as well as Electoral Transparency, have made calls for all actors to refrain from violence in this especially challenging context.

Furthermore, Georgian citizens have a right to protest peacefully without threat to their physical integrity and freedom, which is why we also strongly condemn the detention of more than 220 people and the more than 100 police officers injured during the protests. Particularly, Electoral Transparency calls for the release of Mr. Shota Narsia, a member of Georgia’s largest domestic election monitor, ISFED.

Well-founded concerns over Russian digital interference during the pre-electoral phase, election day and these protests through platforms like Facebook (Meta) and Telegram demand all stakeholders to pay increasing attention to context and to be responsible with the information being shared.

We are also aware of the disputes that are still pending in district courts and in the Constitutional Court regarding the October 26th election results, which makes it very important for these instances to reach a decision as soon as possible, and for all actors to refrain from the inflammatory rhetoric reported by several organizations during the pre-election phase.

In contexts such as these, it’s very important for any fraud allegations to be presented with extensive evidence, and for authorities and institutions to respond swiftly and effectively in every case.

We call upon the Georgian government to guarantee the right of all citizens to protest peacefully, to not close itself to negotiations with any actors and to refrain from actions that may compromise democratic institutions.

Electoral Transparency will continue to monitor the situation in Georgia and hopes effective steps are taken to achieve resolutions and establish negotiations before December 14th, which is the date that has been set to elect a new President.