News

International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) is monitoring October 31, 2015 Parliamentary and Sakrebulo by-elections by means of 48 short-term observers, two district observers and two mobile teams. 

ISFED presents its second statement about irregularities observed at polling stations from 15:00 to 20:00. ISFED’s observers reported that voting took place in a peaceful environment. Only minor irregularities were observed, most of which were shortly resolved locally. 

Voting Violations

Unauthorized individuals were present at Martvili electoral precinct no.11. PEC chairperson banned them from the polling station after ISFED’s observer intervened.  

At Martvili electoral precinct no.14, four voters attempted to vote without ID card. After ISFED’s observer intervened, the voters were allowed to cast a ballot after presenting identification documents. 

At Martvili electoral precinct no.21, a voter attempted to cast a ballot with a driving license. He was banned from voting after ISFED’s observer intervened.  

At Martvili electoral precinct no.11, a voter attempted to cast a ballot without checking of ink. The incident was resolved after ISFED’s observer intervened.  

At Martvili electoral precinct no.27, four voters cast a ballot without checking of ink. 

Violation of Observer’s Rights 

At Martvili electoral precinct no.27, ISFED observer was not allowed to record a reprimand in the logbook. 

Mobile Ballot Box Violations

After mobile voting ended at Martvili electoral precinct no.1, PEC members returned 9 instead of 10 unused ballot papers. They can’t account for the missing ballot paper. 

Act of Physical Assault outside Polling Station

At Iormughalo electoral precinct no.42, supporters of Tamar Khidasheli and Irma Inashvili clashed. Police was called to the scene of the incident. 

Closing Procedures

ISFED found that closing of polling stations took place in a peaceful environment. 

ISFED’s representatives have entered seven reprimands in election logbooks about violations detected at this time. They have filed six complaints with District Electoral Commissions (DECs) seeking imposition of disciplinary liability of PEC members, and one complaint seeking imposition of administrative responsibility. 

Parliamentary by-elections are held in Sagarejo no.11 and Martvili no.65 majoritarian electoral districts, and Sakrebulo by-elections are held in four single-mandate majoritarian districts of Sagarejo, Dmanisi, Vani and Khobi municipalities in Georgia. 

^{ISFED election monitoring mission is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of ISFED and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID, the United States Government and the American people}