GEORGIAN

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Opening and Setting Up of Polling Stations

Opening and Setting Up of Polling Stations

Information on the monitoring mission

The International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) is monitoring the October 2, 2021 Municipal elections in all electoral districts across Georgia (excluding the occupied territories).

ISFED’s election day observation mission consists of around 1,000 accredited and trained observers deployed at polling stations, 73 observers deployed at district electoral commissions and 78 mobile groups. This year, ISFED is also observing the outside perimeter of polling stations with 121 observers. ISFED operates data and incident processing centers at its headquarters, with 20 operators and 21 lawyers, respectively.

ISFED’s observation of the Municipal elections is based on the Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) methodology, where PVT observers are deployed to a statistically  sound, nationally representative sample of polling stations throughout the country. PVT observers are also deployed to a representative sample of polling stations in Tbilisi. The outside monitoring effort employs an identical methodology. The PVT methodology enables ISFED to quickly detect violations, systematically evaluate the quality of the entire voting process, and verify the accuracy of official results.

ISFED will present the election day findings four times a day. The presentations will be convened at 10:00, 15:00, 19:00 and 21:00. The final statement of the monitoring mission will be issued on October 3.

In this statement, ISFED presents the information about opening of polling stations and commencement of the voting process.

 

Pre-election monitoring mission

The election day mission is a continuation of ISFED’s observation of the pre-election period, which commenced on June 1 and included deployment of 68 long-term observers (LTOs), as well as the analysis of social media campaigning.

According to ISFED’s findings, the pre-election environment was somewhat competitive; all parties were able to run the election campaign, but the ruling party enjoyed a greater advantage due to the concentration of administrative resources on its side. The pre-election period was also characterized by cases of political pressure, threats, forced dismissals of civil servants or coercion to resign, and ineffective investigations of such instances by relevant state agencies. In addition, a number of large-scale social and economic initiatives were initiated, and public servants were actively involved in the campaign of the ruling party. The combination of these facts and trends indicates that the ruling party did not demonstrate sufficient political will to ensure a safe and democratic electoral environment ahead of the 2021 Municipal elections.

 

Key findings for 10:00

According to the information received from ISFED’s PVT observers, nearly one-fourth of the polling stations were not ready to receive voters by 8:00am, which is a statistically significant worsening compared to the corresponding figure from 2017. Almost all ISFED observers were allowed to access the polling station and to observe the process without restrictions. However, in isolated cases they were deprived of the right to observe the process of casting lots. Near some polling stations, ISFED observers noted the presence of the so-called coordinators, who were marking the voters who had cast their ballots. According to the observers, campaign materials are displayed within the 25 meter area from the polling stations. In several cases, ISFED observed violations of the procedures of casting lots.

 

Detailed Information from the PVT for the quality of the process at the national level

ISFED has received reports on the opening of polling stations from 99% of the PVT observers covering the nationwide sample. According to the national PVT results:

  • In 99.7% of the polling stations, PVT observers were allowed to access the polling station to conduct the observation, which is statistically similar to the 2017 municipal elections (99.7%);
  • 57.9% of the polling stations had from 15 to 17 commission members present. From 9 to 14 members were on the spot at 42.0% of the polling stations, and in the remaining 0.1% of stations, the number of commission members fluctuated between one and eight;
  • In 99.6% of the polling stations, space and setup of the PEC premises allow for a full-fledged observation of the process;
  • 75.7% of the polling stations were ready to receive voters by 8:00am, which is a statistically significant decrease compared to the 2017 elections (99.3%); 24.1% of polling stations were ready between 8:00 and 8:20am; As of 08:20, 0.2% of the polling stations were not yet open;
  • At 99.2% of polling stations nationwide, the functions between election commission members were assigned by casting of lots, which is minor decrease compared to the 2017 elections (99.7%);
  • In 99.9% of the polling stations, ballot boxes were sealed in accordance with the law, and in 99.7% the integrity of the packages where the Commission seals were placed.

 

Detailed Information from the PVT for the quality of the process in Tbilisi

ISFED has received reports on the opening of polling stations from 99% of the PVT observers covering the Tbilisi sample. According to the PVT results:

  • In 99.1% of the polling stations, PVT observers were allowed to access the polling station to conduct the observation;
  • 66.3% of the polling stations had from 15 to 17 members present. From 9 to 14 members were on the spot at 33.1% of the polling stations, and in the remaining 0.6% the number of commission members fluctuated between one and eight;
  • In 98.6% of the polling stations, space and setup of the PEC premises allow for a full-fledged observation of the process;
  • 76% of the polling stations were ready to receive voters by 8:00am; 23.4% of stations were ready from 08:00 till 08:20. As of 08:20, 0.6% of the polling stations were not yet open;
  • At 99.1% of polling stations nationwide, the functions between election commission members were assigned by casting of lots;
  • In 99.7% of the polling stations, ballot boxes were sealed in accordance with the law, and in 99.4% the integrity of the packages where the Commission seals were placed, were protected.

 

Violations

As of now, ISFED observers have reported following violations:

 

Restricting the right of election observers (3)

  • At the polling station #41 of the electoral district #6 (Samgori), ISFED observer was not allowed to enter the polling station. The observer was explained that she would be allowed after casting of lots;
  • At the polling station #31 of the electoral district #6 (Samgori) the door was closed and the observer was not allowed to enter the polling station;
  • At the polling station #31 of the electoral district #5 (Isani), ISFED observer was not allowed to enter the polling station until the end of the procedure of casting lots. At the same polling station, a commission member did not allow ISFED observer to make an entry in the record book.

 

Procedural violation of casting lots (3)

  • At the polling station #10 of the electoral district #24 (Dmanisi), the process of casting of lots for registrars was violated. In particular, folded papers, where commission members’ functions were indicated, were not sealed. Violations were not addressed despite the observer’s notice;
  • At the polling station #5 of the electoral district #80 (Keda), queue manager refused to fulfill the assigned function. According to the procedure, the chairperson assigned the same function to another member of the commission;
  • At the polling station #68 of the polling station #3 (Saburtalo), lots were not cast to identify four registrars, although there were six commission members appointed by the DEC besides the chairperson, deputy chairperson and the secretary. Pursuant to the chairperson’s instructions, two members of the commission refused to participate in the process and the chairperson assigned the functions without casting of lots. Chairperson did not take action to address the issue despite the observer’s verbal notice.

 

Errors related to the election documentation (2)

  • At the polling station #3 and #5 of the electoral district #4 (Krtsanisi), the registrar was handed over the package of ballots, amounting 53 instead of 50;
  • At the polling station #80 of the electoral district #3 (Saburtalo), 1326 voters are included in the voters list. However, only four registrars were present, instead of five. 

 

Inadequate handling of election documentation (1)

  • At the polling station #63 of the electoral district #3 (Saburtalo), the registrar handed an observer two signed and stamped ballots of the same ballot type. The voter did not return one of the ballots.

 

Violations related to the ballot box control sheet (2)

  • At the polling station #36 of the electoral district #3 (Saburtalo), the rule of completing the control sheets was violated. Namely, the control sheet was filled out later, after 10 voters had cast their votes;
  • At the polling station #43 of the district election commission #54 (Samtredia), the control sheet was filled out before the first voter had arrived and all three control sheets were placed in the main ballot box.

 

Errors related to the voters list (1)

  • At the polling station #38 of the electoral district #67 (Zugdidi), the unified voters list did not contain information on the voters in the mobile ballot box list.

 

Recording of voters near polling stations (1)

  • At the polling station #66 of the electoral district #25 (Khobi), unidentified individuals, located within the 25-30 meter area from the polling station, are marking the voters who had cast their ballots.

 

Errors in the electronic voting pilot (1)

  • At the polling station #32 of the electoral district #4 (Krtanisi), a technical error occurred pertaining to the ballot processing device. A group of technicians was called and the machine was removed.

 

Complaints and statements

As of now, ISFED observers have filed 8 complaints at precinct election commissions, 10 complaints at district election commissions and have logged 4 entries in the record book.

 

Election day incidents and alleged violations are posted on the interactive map of the Elections Portal - http://www.electionsportal.ge/. Anyone with information on possible violations can report it by sending a text to this toll-free number 90039, or at the web-portal - http://www.electionsportal.ge/geo/new_incident.

For further information, follow the organization’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.

 

ISFED urges all eligible voters in Georgia to go to the polls and express their free will by voting in favor of a candidate of their choice. ISFED reminds all voters to wear a face mask and adhere to the designated safety procedures when voting, including those registered on the mobile ballot box list.

 

ISFED will release the next statement at 15:00.

  

ISFED's monitoring mission is made possible by the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the European Union (EU). Monitoring of the outside perimeter of polling stations was made possible by the British embassy in Georgia. The opinions expressed herein belong solely to the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy and do not necessarily reflect the views of the USAID, the United States Government, the EU, or the UK Government.