Following the invitation of the authorities of Georgia, the Observer Mission of the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development – GUAM took part in the municipal elections, held on October 2, 2021.

The Observer Group was composed of the member of the Parliament (Milli Mejlis) of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr Cavid Osmanov, and the GUAM Secretary General Mr Altai Efendiev.

The mission mainly focused on general observation and assessment of the organization and administration of the electoral process on the day of voting, namely – the situation in and around the polling stations, the composition of the electoral commissions at the polling stations, organization of the balloting, conditions at the polling stations, ensuring the free and secret expression of the will of voters, transparency of the balloting process, presence of the observers from political parties, media, independent observers/civil society, etc.

Based on the observation results at the following polling stations in the capital city Tbilisi: No.2 and No. 4 of Krtsanisi district, No. 3 of Vake district, No. 60 and No. 66 of Saburtalo district, No. 30 of Dedube district, and of No. 1 of Chugureti, the GUAM observers decided to make the following Statement:

The municipal elections in Georgia were organized and conducted following the international obligations and standards for democratic elections, including the OSCE and the Council of Europe commitments and standards and the national legislation, rules, and procedures elaborated by the Central Election Commission of Georgia.

Elections were organized and held on a competitive basis in a calm and orderly manner. Prescribed voting procedures were strictly followed, the balloting process was well organized and transparent. At some polling stations, new procedures and the pioneer electronic voting were introduced to eliminate the possibilities of manipulations. The turnout of the voters at the observed polling stations was relatively high.

Judged by the monitoring results of the organization and administration of the electorate process on the day of voting, the GUAM Observer Group concludes that fundamental rights and freedoms were overall observed and ensured. The municipal elections can be assessed as free and fair.

Tbilisi, 02 October 2021