Press Releases

On June 6, the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy published third interim report of monitoring the June 15, 2014 local self-government elections. The report covers the period from May 11 through June 1. ISFED performs monitoring of the elections in all election districts of Georgia by means of 73 long-term observers. During the reporting period one important trend that was identified was alleged pressure on election candidates of opposition parties. 

“As of June 1, 385 candidates in 62 election districts have withdrawn their candidacies. As reported by political unions and local observers, up to 50 candidates of 6 opposition parties have withdrawn their candidacies as a result of alleged pressure. The report also describes an act of harassment in an attempt to interfere with pre-election campaigning of a candidate; 3 cases that involve dismissal from work on alleged political grounds; two cases of using public resources,” – says Nino Lomjaria, Executive Director of ISFED. 

The report also describes one act of physical assault on political grounds, in which one of the leaders of the United National Movement was physically assaulted for his political activities. Further, 4 cases involving physical assault between members or supporters of the Georgian Dream and those of the United National Movement were also observed. 

ISFED’s coordinators registered 3 cases in which homophobic statements were made – two by candidates of the Labor Party and one by a candidate of the bloc Burjanadze – Unified Opposition. We believe that such statements incite public hatred, which is unacceptable and alarming. 

ISFED’s coordinators attended 1181 public meetings held by election subjects from May 12 to June 1, 2014, including 586 meetings held by the coalition Georgian Dream, 271 by the United National Movement, 128 by Nino Burjanadze-Unified Opposition; 46 by the Non-Parliamentary Opposition (Kakha Kukava, Pikria Chikhradze); 36 by the Labor Party of Georgia; 29 by the Georgia’s Way; 28 by the Alliance of Patriots of Georgia; 9 by the Self-Government to People; 6 by the People’s Party; 5 by the Green Party; 5 by Irakli Okruashvili – Georgian Party. 

ISFED’s recommendations and incidents reported during the pre-election period are available in the third interim report at www.isfed.ge. Reports of pre-election violations are available on the joint elections web-portal of non-governmental organizations at www.electionsportal.ge. 

This report 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 or the United States Government. Election activities including this report are kindly supported by the Embassy of Kingdom of Netherlands in Georgia.