Georgian Election Problems Continue
By Joseph Catapano
May 7, 2008

With parliamentary elections scheduled for May 21, public confidence in international election monitors to ensure a free and fair vote in Georgia appears to be waning. Both the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and European Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) released statements recently voicing concern over the low level of confidence in Georgia regarding the election process.

“The delegation [NDI’s pre-election delegation to Georgia] acknowledges a number of positive steps since the [Jan. 5] presidential election but remains deeply concerned that urgent efforts need to be made to significantly enhance public confidence in the integrity of the electoral process,” the group said in a statement released at a news conference.

Reports from both NDI and ODIHR include criticism of President Mikheil Saakashvili’s administration, as well as of the governing United National Movement for a Victorious Georgia according to Eurasianet.org.

“The government bears the largest share of the responsibility for creating an enabling environment for campaigning and the conduct of a good election. The opposition bears responsibility for the part it plays in political discourse. Both sides should meet these responsibilities in a manner that commands public confidence,” said NDI.

However, many—mainly opposition parties, in Georgia are displeased with the performance of international election observers. Several opposition parties expressed displeasure after allegations that the United National Movement had missed the 6pm deadline for filing party lists with the Central Election Commission on April 21. Election officials reportedly refused to show the ruling party’s list to opposition parties and election observers until the early hours of April 22.

“Unfortunately, international observers are a little too passive,” said Zurab Tkemaladze, a member of parliament for the opposition Industrialists bloc. “They should be more assertive and be more involved in the whole process. They should have some influence.”

International observers insist that both the government and opposition parties will be held responsible for a free and fair election. One of the problems noted by NDI observer Sam Gejdenson was that there is a tendency among opposition parties to complain about alleged violations without presenting clear evidence to support the accusations. Other observers have noted that few opposition parties submit official complaints to the Central Election Commission or the government’s interagency task force for the election.

The latest NDI statement contained 18 recommendations for the pre-election period, focusing mainly on the responsibilities of political parties and campaigns, ways to restore public confidence, and improvements to election administration and the media environment. However, the outlook in Georgia remains unchanged thus far.

“In general, Georgian society is quite disappointed with the performance of the international observers during the [Jan. 5 presidential] elections,” said Republican Party Leader Davit Usupashvili. “I don’t think it is possible to [increase confidence in the international observers] now, two weeks before the elections.”

References:

Eurasianet.org: Opposition Politicians Complain About International Election Monitors

NDI: NDI Calls for Urgent Steps to Improve Public Confidence Before Georgian Parliamentary Elections

www.ccd21.org