Observers Hail Presidential Polls
Real Tests Lie Ahead, as Parliamentary Elections Loom
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| Western Observers Say Elections Moved Georgia Closer to Europe. |
“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 at a news briefing in Tbilisi on January 5.
Around 450 international observers from 38 OSCE countries, as well as up to 3,000 local observers monitored the election. However, International observers noted “less scrutiny by domestic observers” in all aspects of the election 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.
The United States also welcomed free and fair elections in Georgia. “We believe that the presidential election of January 4 marks a significant step forward in the development of democracy in Georgia,” deputy spokesman of the U.S. Department of State Adam Ereli said at a news briefing in Washington on January 5.
Observers also noted efforts of the election officials to secure orderly presidential polls. “Election officials at all levels should be recognized for their diligent efforts under difficult and challenging conditions,” Demetrio Volcic said.
However, the local observers from the election watchdog organization International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) reported minor violations, caused by the poor knowledge of election legislature by the election administration members at the polling stations.
Chairman of the Central Election Commission Zurab Tchiaberashvili, who previously led the ISFED, said on January 5 that election administration members’ good job was caused by the two reasons.
“At first, we could manage training courses for the precinct members. This contributed positively on election officials’ performance,” Tchiaberashvili said.
“On the other hand, I think, our warning massages towards the election officials that each member of the precinct would be punished for illegal actions, also played an important role,” the CEC chief added.
The western observers expressed concerns in this election regarded issues such as the continued lack of a clear separation between party and State structures and the political imbalance in the composition of the election administration, in favor of the current authorities.
The political parties, which are in opposition to the provisional government have already protested regarding the issue and demanded to reshuffle the election administrations.
“At the moment the current authorities enjoy with total control over the election administrations at all levels. The situation should be improved for the upcoming parliamentary elections,” Akaki Asatiani said at a news briefing on January 6.
“There is a one-party dictatorship [of the current authorities] in the current election administrations, that is inadmissible,” Badri Niauri of the Labor Party said at a news briefing on January 5.
Interim President Nino Burjanadze, who led the country for 45 days after Shevardnadze resigned on November 23, vowed to compose the election administrations under the parity basis.
Chairman of the CEC Zurab Tchiaberashvili also said that the composition of the election commission at all levels under the parity basis would ease the work of administrations and increase transparency.
It is anticipated that rule of composition of the election commission will heat up political debates in Georgia as parliamentary elections are ahead.
The date of the parliamentary polls is not set up so far. However, the OSCE recommended not appointing elections before March. The opposition parties, as well as the CEC chief, also prefer appointment of the elections for the later date, as there is not enough time to prepare for the elections.
The commentators believe that the parliamentary polls will not be as smooth as the presidential elections, as the competition for the legislative seats will be much fiercer, than it was in the presidential polls.
“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 at a news briefing on January 5.