We ensure free, fair and transparent elections, which is essential for Georgia and our European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. It was announced by the Prime Minister of Georgia at a meeting held with Albert Johnson, OSCE/ODIHR Observation Mission Head.

Irakli Garibashvili thanked Albert Johnson for the engagement in the monitoring of local elections of Georgia irrespective of the COVID-19 pandemic and noted that the role of ODIHR in the transparency and fairness of elections is appreciated.

The Prime Minister noted that similar to the previous year, regulations issued by the Ministry of Health will be fully complied with for COVID-free elections to be held nation-wide. According to the Head of Government of Georgia, specific protocols have been developed by taking into account the challenges caused by the pandemic to ensure the health and safety of international observers. Irakli Garibashvili once again highlighted that the ruling team closely cooperates with observation organizations to make sure that all conditions are created for comprehensive and effective implementation of their mandate.

Irakli Garibashvili and Albert Johnson reviewed the parliamentary elections of 2020, which were declared as held in a competitive environment, by protecting every fundamental freedom and results reflecting the will of Georgian people, according to the international observation missions, including OSCE/ODIHR. Thus, for the first time in the recent history of Georgia 9 political parties went beyond the threshold in 2020 and obtained mandates to represent their electorate in the parliament of the country.

The Head of Government noted that free and fair elections are the main basis of democracy and authorities fully understand the significance of the approaching local elections. The ruling team is fully mobilised to hold free and transparent elections in compliance with international standards. Authorities are taking every step required to ensure equal conditions for all, so that no questions are left unanswered and no groundless political speculations remain.

According to Irakli Garibashvili, apart from OSCE/ODIHR, authorities invited observers from a number of other international organizations, including the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), European Parliament (EP), OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA), National-Democratic Institute (NDI) and International Republican Institute (IRI).