According to the Central Election Commission, manipulative information was spread regarding video recording at polling stations.

"The Election Administration [EA] responds to yet another piece of manipulative information broadcast by TV Pirveli, which continues its traditional and well-known scheme to discredit the EA - a campaign further facilitated by certain biased non-governmental organizations and representatives of political parties, thus, the interested parties are once again attempting to manipulate both the voters and international partners. We would like to remind you that this is not the first instance of the aforementioned TV company disseminating manipulative information. We also wish to remind the public that, based on appeals from the EA, the "Charter of Journalistic Ethics" has identified violations in several cases related to disinformation reports aired by this TV company.

In order to inform the public, CEC is presenting its position on video recording at polling stations. Although photo/video recording at polling stations is regulated - and each stakeholder, whether a political entity, media outlet, or observer organization, has an equal right to film in accordance with the established rules - certain interested parties are attempting to portray the issue in a manipulative manner. The subject of their criticism was the video cameras installed at polling stations in accordance with the legislation. Based on their assumptions or claims, technical specifications of these cameras allegedly allowed for voter control, and the EA should not have permitted such cameras to operate.

What is particularly alarming is that some of the individuals or organizations currently criticizing this legal practice have themselves violated the law in the past. In addition to filming from the specially designated area at polling stations, they have also recorded and livestreamed from other locations - including while capturing voters` choices - which constitutes a direct violation of both personal data protection principles and election legislation. It is precisely in response to these violations that the CEC issued a decree several weeks ago, clarifying the regulations concerning video recording.

Once again, we emphasize that photo and video recording conducted by authorized individuals from a specially designated area within the polling station is an action permitted by law. The agitation against such lawful activity - especially by individuals who have themselves grossly violated legal filming regulations by broadcasting the voting process live and publishing documentation containing voters` personal information - reveals a clear attempt to fabricate a violation where none exists. This is a blatant act of manipulation and is entirely unacceptable to the EA.

In this context, selective criticism is particularly noteworthy. Claim that cameras in question enabled control over voters` will by livestreaming the captured material is unfounded and ignores legal reality - legislation doesn`t specify the technical characteristics of the cameras, nor does it grant the EA the authority to assess or restrict the use of video cameras at polling stations on this basis. Thus, all authorized persons have opportunity, in accordance with the law, to conduct photo/video recording from specially designated area at polling station.

Stakeholders are also manipulating the fact that the EA used these cameras during the 2021 elections. It is unclear what concerns could possibly arise from this well-known public fact, which served to enhance the standard of transparency in the electoral process. We would like to remind the public that the vote-counting process was recorded using the aforementioned video cameras, after which the footage was uploaded to the Google platform and made accessible to all interested parties. At the time, this issue did not prove controversial or problematic for any party.

The CEC clearly states the following:

• Photo and video recording at polling stations is permitted only under the conditions specified by law;
• The CEC is obligated to act solely on the basis of legal standards and does not rely on manipulation or technical assumptions made by any party;
• In any instance where the electoral process or voter confidentiality is violated, the CEC takes appropriate action as prescribed by law.

We note that, unfortunately, the positions expressed by some stakeholders are not only inconsistent but also clearly reveal a motive to pursue a political agenda - one that undermines public trust in the electoral process. The CEC calls on all parties to refrain from spreading disinformation and making attempts to discredit the administration. We will continue to uphold the rule of law and ensure a transparent, fair electoral process, in full accordance with current legislation and international standards", -reads the statement.