The OSCE/ODIHR, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and the European Parliament commended what they called the “largely peaceful” general elections in Georgia and its “adequate legal framework” for holding “democratic elections”.

In a joint briefing in Tbilisi, they underlined the election administration had organised the vote “efficiently”, but added the public perception of its impartiality was “harmed by concerns about recent changes over its nomination and decision-making processes”.

“Election day was generally well organised procedurally and orderly, but it was marked by a tense environment. The secrecy of the vote was frequently compromised and there were reports of intimidation and pressure on voters”, they said. The campaign was “competitive although subdued”, but the language and imagery used were “highly divisive”, the observers noted.

They highlighted the elections were marred by “entrenched polarisation and concerns over the recently adopted legislation [Law on Tansparency] and its impact on fundamental freedoms and civil society, as well as highly divisive campaign rhetoric and widespread reports of pressure on voters”.