The report of the OSCE issued today regarding the November 2 parliamentary elections reads that the presidential election scheduled for 4 January in Georgia “will provide an early opportunity to demonstrate whether the authorities now have a willingness to hold genuinely democratic elections.”
A post-election interim report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), stresses that issues to be addressed by the new leadership of the country “include the balance composition of the electoral administrative bodies, improved voter lists and timely funding of the process.”
“Culture of impunity for the violation of election-related laws can only be curbed through the prosecution of those persons who have knowingly and willingly broken the law.”
The report also notes that the timeframe for the forthcoming election will be a challenge for the electoral administration.
“Following the 2003 elections, it is incumbent on the authorities to restore public confidence in the democratic election process and the political impartiality of State institutions,” the ODIHR report reads.
According to the press release issued by the OSCE’s democratic institutions office an advance team of OSCE/ODIHR experts will continue to monitor the political developments and the electoral preparations until the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission operates in full capacity and starts its regular activities from 7 December through the 4 January voting.