The National Democratic Institute released “Georgia Election Watch” - an analysis of the pre-election environment based on in-depth interviews conducted virtually from July 28 - August 4, 2020, by an NDI delegation led by President Derek Mitchell.

The report addresses issues related to the electoral framework and administration, the campaign environment, the role of media and disinformation, gender and inclusion and the impact of coronavirus.

“Georgia has taken important steps forward to ensure greater women’s political participation and has laid out a concrete path toward fulfilling promises of a fully proportional electoral system. Citizen expectations for a democratic process are thus high.

Yet persistent issues related to electoral integrity have remained unaddressed, fueling polarization and detracting from public confidence in election outcomes. Concerns remain about lax or biased enforcement, abuses of state resources and prosecutorial authorities, intimidation and harassment, personalized and polarizing campaigning, continuing exclusion of underrepresented groups, and threats to the integrity of the information environment.

In coming together to pass wide-ranging electoral reforms and safeguard public health this year, Georgians have demonstrated their ability to overcome their differences in the public interest. Heading into elections, the country’s leaders and political actors will need to summon the similar resolve to take the steps necessary to ensure a fair, transparent and inclusive process that does justice to the will of the Georgia people”, - said Derek Mitchell.