Statements

ISFED responds to the April 3, 2025, changes made by the Central Election Commission (CEC) to the decree "On Defining Rules and Conditions for Voting Conducted Through Electronic Devices," which substantially restricts the rights of observers on election day and the ability to effectively monitor the electoral process.

The following article is being added to the decree, which prohibits persons authorized to be present in the polling station from:

• Physically obstructing voters' movement within the polling station;
• Requesting the voters to show their identification document, or to take it;
• Photo-video recording or otherwise processing a voter's identity document, voter data displayed on the voter verification device, the printed verification receipt of the voter, or the voter's ballot selection.

According to the Organic Law of Georgia "Election Code of Georgia," observers have the right to be present in the polling station at any time on election day and freely, without hindrance, observe all stages of the voting process from any location, which includes the ability to fully observe all procedures and stages of voting.

The observer's right to check voters' identification documents and their verification process in order to detect violations is an important prerequisite for conducting democratic and fair elections. In conditions where the election administration in Georgia is effectively under the influence of one party and trust in it is low, further restriction of observers' rights significantly reduces the possibility of timely detection and prevention of possible violations. This particularly affects widespread substantial violations in Georgia, such as voting with improper identification documents, voting on behalf of others (the so-called "carousel"), and/or multiple voting. ISFED will challenge the above-mentioned changes to the CEC decree in court.