2017 Elections of Local Self-Government Bodies: Third Interim Report of the Pre-Election Observation
The International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) has been conducting a long-term pre-election monitoring of the October 21, 2017 elections of municipal representative bodies - Sakrebulos and Mayors of local self-governing cities/self-governing communities - through 70 long-term observers since July 24. The monitoring is carried out with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). The third interim report of the pre-election monitoring covers the reporting period of September 26 – October 16, 2017.
During the reporting period the election campaign entered a conclusive phase and became noticeably dynamic. ISFED observers monitored 379 public meetings held by electoral subjects during the period of September 26 – October 16.
As the Election Day approached, frequency of such violations that undermine free and level playing field for electoral subjects increased. During the reporting period ISFED found 23 cases of intimidation/ harassment; 1 case of dismissal from work on alleged political grounds; 2 cases of violence; 3 cases of interference with pre-election campaign; 6 cases of misuse of administrative resources; 1 case of improper use of a building (facility); 6 cases of illegal participation in campaigning; 11 cases of destruction of campaign materials. Of note are 6 infringement cases identified in activities of the electoral administration.
ISFED 3rd Pre-Election Interim Report - 2017 Local Elections in Georgia