To accurately inform the public, we would like to address certain misleading information circulating on social networks and media, used by interested parties for discrediting the election process, reads the statement of the Central Election Commission [CEC].

“A video or photo, intensively shared in social networks and media and claimed by its distributors to be evidence, allegedly shows improper interference in the election process or intentional violation of secrecy of vote.

The attempts by certain individuals to allege voter duplication in the verification device were thoroughly debunked by a report from an American audit company, which confirms that duplicating voters in the voter list is impossible; in the past two days, discussions have intensified around the visibility of the reverse side of the ballot during coloring, suggesting this as evidence of an intentional breach of secrecy of vote.

Firstly, it should be noted that the ballots were printed on heavyweight offset paper, much thicker than those used in the 2021 elections in Krtsanisi district. Additionally, ballots were printed in selected printing houses as per appropriate rule and the process was observed both by local and international observers. Besides, the CEC provided a special frame envelope made of thick paper, ensuring full voting secrecy when the ballot is properly placed inside. The mentioned was numerously tried during past piloting and testing and recommendations were considered including of those non-governmental organizations. Various media representatives and members of the public have confirmed that the envelope effectively ensures the secrecy of vote.

The election administration emphasized instructions for using the frame envelope during the voter information campaign. Besides, all steps of the voting procedure were publicly displayed in each precinct. Thus, when the frame envelope and ballot placement instructions were correctly followed, there was no theoretical chance of breaching voting secrecy. The election administration provided all necessary resources related to these issues, both informationally and materially. The coloration observed on the reverse side of the ballot is generally faint and indistinct. While it may be slightly imprinted, it does not clearly reveal the voter"s choice, thereby preserving voting secrecy. The secrecy of vote is maintained even if the ballot is strongly colored or darkened, which may be visible from the other side yet in any case the choice remains indistinguishable.

We cannot entertain conspiracy theories from interested parties suggesting manipulation based on the possible visibility of markings on the reverse side of some ballots”, - says the CEC.