Georgia: international observers point to election violations

The election campaign passed amid intimidation of voters and pressure on them, the Embassy of the European Union (EU) to Georgia has stated. A sharp imbalance of resources in favour of the ruling party has affected the election outcomes, the head of the mission of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe) has stressed.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on October 30, Georgia held the second round of elections to local self-governments. A total of 272 complaints were filed in relation to electoral violations. The ruling "Georgian Dream" Party has won in 19 cities. On October 31, an opposition rally against election outcomes was held in Tbilisi.

The elections were generally well organized, and the campaign was competitive, but it was held amid voters' intimidation and pressure, the EU Embassy to Georgia has stated on the Facebook.

The ruling party had an advantage, Albert Johnson, the head of the mission of the ODIHR of the OSCE, has stated.

The "Transparency International-Georgia" has stated that given a small gap in votes cast for the candidates violations "could significantly affect the outcomes and free expression of voters' will," the "Georgia Online" reports.

Let us remind you that prior to the first election round, held in late September, Mikhail Saakashvili, a former Georgian President, returned to the country. He was arrested because he had been sentenced in absentia under two criminal cases.