Western Observers Say Elections Moved Georgia Closer to Europe

The international observers from the OSCE, Council of Europe and the European Parliament noted that the January 4 snap presidential elections demonstrated notable progress over previous elections in the country but was only a partial test of Georgia’s electoral system and commitment to a democratic process.

“This election has brought Georgia closer to meeting international standards for democratic elections and closer to Europe,” Demetrio Volcic, Head of the Delegation of the European Parliament, said at a news briefing today, where the international observers presented their preliminary assessment of the Georgian elections.

“The authorities showed the political will to conduct democratic elections, making a welcome contrast to the deeply flawed November 2 parliamentary elections,” Bruce George, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE and the Special Co-ordinator for the short-term observers, appointed by the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, said.

“This election brought back hope. The new leadership now has the opportunity, and more importantly the responsibility, to nourish it. The forthcoming parliamentary elections will be the true test for the new authorities of their willingness and ability to conduct genuinely democratic elections,” Matyas Eorsi, who heads the Delegation from the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly, said.

The observers noted that the clear improvements, particularly in the conduct of voting, new voters lists, the legal framework and overall election administration.

However, the observers also stressed that there were nevertheless clear concerns.

“Particularly regarding political imbalance in election administration and failure of some election officials to maintain distance from participants. This was not a truly competitive environment, further progress is needed,” Craig Jenness, Head of the Election Observation Mission of the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, said.