The OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has established a large-scale, long-term Election Observation Mission to monitor the 28 March parliamentary elections in Georgia. The Mission is headed by Ambassador Michael Wygant of the United States.
“These elections are another crucial test for the future democratic development of Georgia”, head of the Mission Ambassador Michael Wygant of the United States said.
“While the 4 January presidential election demonstrated notable progress over the flawed parliamentary elections of 2 November 2003, challenges and concerns remain. The upcoming elections are an opportunity for Georgia to demonstrate its commitments to a democratic election process,” Ambassador Wygant added.
The ODIHR will monitor the election process before, during, and after election day with an observation mission similar in size to those deployed to the 2 November parliamentary elections and the 4 January presidential election.
The ODIHR Public Affairs Unit reports that thirteen election experts based at the Mission headquarters in Tbilisi and 27 long-term observers drawn from 18 OSCE participating States will closely monitor and analyze the entire electoral process.
This will include campaigning by political parties and candidates, the work of the election administration and of the local authorities, the media, and the legal framework, as well as election-day proceedings and the resolution of election disputes.
The ODIHR has requested 450 short-term observers from OSCE participating States, who will be joined by a delegation from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.
The OSCE Chairman-in-Office has appointed OSCE PA President Bruce George as his special Coordinator to lead the short-term OSCE Observation Mission.
Short-term observers will be deployed just before election day to observe voting, counting, and tabulation of results.
On 29 March, immediately after polling day, the Election Observation Mission will issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions. A comprehensive report will be issued approximately one month after the publication of final results.