U.S. Senators Jim Risch, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Jeanne Shaheen said in their joint statement on Georgia’s upcoming election that “it is important that all parties respect and abide by international standards for a free and fair electoral process, and maintain the integrity of the ballot box”.

“Since we traveled together to observe Georgia’s 2012 parliamentary elections, we have watched democracy deepen and the economy grow. The constitutional reforms made earlier this year to the electoral system were an important step forward in strengthening Georgia’s democratic legitimacy. The good conduct of these upcoming elections will further consolidate those gains and demonstrate the Georgian people’s continued desire to pursue Euro-Atlantic integration.

We continue to support the Georgian people as friends and partners, and wish them a free, fair, and credible election”, - reads the statement.