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Posts: 1,521
Wrong url. Hope this works.
https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=&sl=ka&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Foc-media.org%2Fdispute-over-electoral-reforms-heats-up-as-georgian-election-looms1%2F&sandbox=1
Posts: 6,250
02.08.2021 / 17:43AA
According to an IRI poll, if there were elections next week, 26% would vote for the Georgian Dream, 14% for the National Movement, and 9% for Giorgi Gakharia's party.
According to an IRI poll, if there were elections next week, 26% would vote for the Georgian Dream, 14% for the National Movement, and 9% for Giorgi Gakharia's party.
According to a new poll by the International Republican Institute (IRI), if elections were to take place next week, 26% of respondents would vote for the Georgian Dream, 14% for the United National Movement and 9% for Giorgi Gakharia's party.
As for the other parties, on the question: which party would you vote for if the municipal elections were held next week, the votes were distributed as follows: "Labor Party - Shalva Natelashvili" - 3%; "Girchi, more freedom - Zurab Girchi Japaridze" - 2%; "Strategy Builder" - Giorgi Vashadze - 2%; "Lelo - Mamuka Khazaradze , Badri Japaridze" - 2%, "Alliance of Patriots" - 2%; "Citizens" - 2%; "Eri- Levan Vasadze" - 1%; "European Georgia - Giga Bokeria " - 1%; "For the people - Ana Dolidze " - 1%; "It's time" - Elene Khoshtaria 1%; "Girchi" - 1%; Other parties - 1%. The answer "I do not know" was chosen - 20%, the answer was rejected by -7%.
The study was conducted on June 15-30, 2021, on behalf of the Research Center of the International Republican Institute by Dr. Rasa Alishauskine, Representative of the Baltic Studies and Gallup Organization, and the fieldwork was conducted by IPM. Data were collected using a stratified multistage random sampling method through face-to-face interviews. The sample included 1,500 respondents with voting rights and age. Data were weighted by age, sex, region, and settlement size. The margin of error is +/- 2.5%, the response rate is 74%. The study was made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development.
https://www.interpressnews.ge/ka/article/668278-iri-is-kvlevis-mixedvit-momaval-kviras-rom-archevnebi-iqos-26-xmas-kartul-ocnebas-14-nacmozraobas-9-ki-giorgi-gaxarias-partias-miscemda
Posts: 1,420
Posts: 900
Following lacklustre governmental use of police units to defend dozens of journalists and LGBT activists from organised serious assaults in Tbilisi on 05/07/21; and the GG's withdrawal from an already-signed agreement with the EU about electoral processes in the approaching elections, there are 'reports that the Georgian PM has been denied official visits to 3 EU Baltic states'. And, less reliably, that he is now also persona non grata in Washington for the same reasons.
https://civil.ge/archives/435440
The GD have really blotted their copy books with Western nations over the last month. This might explain why their suddenly being sohelpful to American Frontera.
Posts: 6,250
Politics
13.09.2021 / 17:23AA
Grigol Gegelia - There will be 7 MEPs in the European Parliament delegation
Grigol Gegelia - There will be 7 MEPs in the European Parliament delegation
According to Grigol Gegelia, one of the leaders of Lelo for Georgia, the European Parliament observer mission will include 7 MEPs and administrative staff of the European Parliament.
"This proves once again how much political significance is attached to this election by our Western partners. The elections will be monitored not only by the OSCE / ODHIR, IRI and other important institutions, but also by the MEPs themselves. The West views these elections as a referendum to decide Georgia's geopolitical future. Today, the MEPs are already directly stating that the geopolitical choice of the Georgian nation and the course of this government are misguided. "Now is the unique moment when we have to make the right civilizational choice to save the future and prospects of this state," Gegelia said.
Politics
13.09.2021 / 17:23AA
Grigol Gegelia - There will be 7 MEPs in the European Parliament delegation
Grigol Gegelia - There will be 7 MEPs in the European Parliament delegation
https://www.interpressnews.ge/ka/article/673799-grigol-gegelia-saarchevnod-evroparlamentis-delegaciashi-7-evroparlamentari-ikneba
Posts: 6,250
US Embassy: Failure to Approve Constitutional Amendment Another Missed Opportunity for Georgia’s Judiciary
by GEORGIA TODAY September 8, 2021 in Highlights, Politics Reading Time: 3min read
“Parliament’s failure to approve the Constitutional amendment aimed at ensuring broad, multi-party support for an impartial Prosecutor General is another missed opportunity to increase the independence, transparency and integrity of Georgia’s judiciary,” reads the statement issued by the US Embassy in Tbilisi.
The US Embassy says ?judicial reform is essential for Georgia’s European integration.
“The proposed change in the appointment process was recommended for Georgia by the Venice Commission, an international body of legal experts, in a report requested by Parliament, as well as other international experts. Equally as important, all of the political parties that signed the April 19 Agreement, including Georgian Dream, committed to make this change, to increase the public’s confidence in the independence of the Prosecutor General from political interference.
“We take note of opposition leaders’ comments that they were unable to support this important amendment to the Prosecutor General appointment process in order to retain the ruling party’s votes for the other important Constitutional amendments called for in the April 19 Agreement, which pertain to fully proportional elections, a two percent threshold, and factions. Georgian Dream’s refusal to support the Prosecutor General amendment contradicts the party’s July 28 reiteration of its commitment to implement the judicial reforms and adopt the Constitutional amendments laid out in the April 19 Agreement. This is yet another broken promise by the ruling party to make the much-needed judicial reforms that Georgian Dream and opposition party leaders have pledged, of their own accord, to adopt.
“The people of Georgia deserve an impartial, independent judiciary that is not used for political purposes. With an impartial judicial system, the public can have confidence that election results will be upheld fairly, business disputes will be resolved without favoritism, and political opponents will not be targeted unjustly for prosecution. Those qualified professionals in the Prosecutor’s Office, and the court system more broadly, should be allowed to uphold the law without political pressure. The Constitutional amendment reforming the appointment process for the Prosecutor General would have been an important step toward that goal.
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Part 2
“Georgian Dream and opposition parties pledged to renew their efforts to work together in Parliament in good faith to implement key reforms to the judicial system. They should follow through on their commitment to conduct an inclusive, multi-party assessment of the previous waves of judicial reform and develop initiatives that will further improve judicial transparency, impartiality, and accountability. These reforms are essential for Georgia’s European integration and, more importantly, for ensuring the people of Georgia have the impartial, professional justice system they deserve,” reads the statement.
“The European Union regrets that yet another commitment to reform the Judiciary was not upheld today,” stated Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia Carl Hartzell in connection with constitutional amendments passed in the first reading in the Georgian Parliament.
“Today, the Georgian Parliament voted in first reading on a number of important constitutional amendments that were tabled following the 19 April Agreement mediated by the European Union. Unfortunately, the key amendment on the election modalities of the Prosecutor General of Georgia was withdrawn.
“This amendment was due to address the way in which the Prosecutor General of Georgia is appointed, with the ambition to increase the required majority to a qualified majority, in order to ensure the broadest, cross-party support for appointments and to reduce the risk that one party can, alone, appoint a Prosecutor General in the future. This was another measure aimed to increase the independence, transparency and quality of the Judiciary in Georgia. The principles behind this amendment have been a long-standing Venice Commission recommendation. Following Georgian Dream’s withdrawal from the 19 April Agreement, we also took note of the Party’s renewed and public commitment on 28 July, to nevertheless implement the judicial reforms and adopt the initiated constitutional amendments.
“The European Union regrets that yet another commitment to reform the Judiciary was not upheld today. We recall that last July, further appointments to the Supreme Court, alongside those made over the past two years, were assessed by the OSCE/ODIHR “to lack integrity, objectivity and credibility”. Last week, in the context of the non-disbursement of 75 million Euro in EU macro-financial assistance, the EU noted that Georgia failed to sufficiently address the condition for this macro-financial assistance, and notably to increase the independence, accountability and quality of the judicial system. Today’s withdrawal of the amendment is therefore a third setback within only two months, in terms of Georgia’s commitments to reform its Judiciary,” Hartzell said.
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On September 7, Parliament passed the planned amendments to the constitutional law with 126 votes in the first reading. At the initiative and decision of the ruling majority, the bill was put to a vote without the clause that provides for the election of the Prosecutor General by a qualified majority – three-fifths of the full membership of Parliament.
With this move, the ruling team rejected another condition provided by the agreement of the President of the European Council Charles Michel.
According to the draft, based on the next two parliamentary elections, the seats of the members of parliament will be distributed to the political parties that will receive 2% of the votes.
By Ana Dumbadze
https://georgiatoday.ge/us-embassy-failure-to-approve-constitutional-amendment-another-missed-opportunity-for-georgias-judiciary/
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Politics
15.09.2021 / 21:48AA
Nika Melia - the government, which still dares to throw a journalist from the second floor after July 5 and says that it has fallen by itself, is not the government - let's gather forces and give a proper answer
Nika Melia - the government, which still dares to throw a journalist from the second floor after July 5 and says that it has fallen by itself, is not the government - let's gather forces and give a proper answer
We are all convinced once again that the government, which after July 5 still dares to throw a journalist from the second floor and now says that he has fallen by himself - is neither the government nor the regime, - Nika Melia , the leader of the "National Movement" said at a briefing with SUS He said that he was responding to the incident in Kareli, during which the operator of the "Main Channel" was injured.
According to Melia, a proper answer should be given to the incident.
"Solidarity with Levan Ablotia, the man who did his duty, solidarity with the" Main Channel "and the whole corps of journalists. Mr. Kobakhidze, Mdinaradze, Kaladze, Gharibashvili - these are just the talking heads. He runs this country. From beginning to end the State Security Service, which serves only one person.
We now have a civilized choice, let no one insult anyone and let them not say that this is a local self-government election, this is a civilized election. Either we are killed on the street, or we are not killed, or our children are proud to live in our country, or we all have to think about leaving this country together - it is a choice. This is the only thing that the Kareli mayoral candidate, nicknamed "Master", is engaged in, who was overthrown and whose direct duty was to install surveillance cameras for high-ranking officials. People, this is a choice where we have to prove that we are either proud people or just the masses. "So let's gather our forces and give a proper answer," Melia said.
For reference, an incident took place at the headquarters of the Georgian Dream in Kareli, during which the cameraman of the Main Channel, Levan Ablotia, was injured. According to the director of the "Main Channel" Nika Gvaramia, the cameraman was thrown from the balcony. "Georgian Dream" calls this a lie and claims that the cameraman "jumped on the railing of the stairs and fell down."
https://www.interpressnews.ge/ka/article/674188-nika-melia-xelisupleba-romelic-5-ivlisis-shemdeg-kvlav-bedavs-zhurnalists-meore-sartulidan-agdebs-da-ambobs-rom-tavisit-gadmovarda-ar-aris-x
Posts: 6,250
Politics
14.09.2021 / 12:07AA
ISFED Executive Director Says Campaign for Illegal Surveillance, Surveillance and Eavesdropping on Large Scale
ISFED Executive Director Says Campaign for Illegal Surveillance, Surveillance and Eavesdropping on Large Scale
According to ISFED Executive Director Nino Dolidze, the campaign of illegal surveillance, surveillance and eavesdropping in the country is large-scale.
As Dolidze told reporters, it is important to establish the authenticity of the published information and conduct an objective investigation.
"You know that civil society has been running the 'It Affects You' campaign since 2012, and then we had the second stage, 'It Affects You - We'll Hear.' We have been talking about this problem for a long time, that there is illegal surveillance, surveillance and wiretapping in the country, which has been used repeatedly against people, be it political actors, journalists or others. The information spread yesterday proves that these hearings can be very large and people not only listened to important information, but also listened to everyday, household conversations. In this case, it is very important to establish the authenticity, conduct an investigation and if there are questions about the authenticity, confirm this as well. "It is a crime to hear people in this country without a court order."
According to him, all this may be related to the elections, because according to him, the revelation during the elections is obviously due to the influence on the decision of the voters and voting.
Posts: 6,250
Part 2
"What is happening is a very big problem for the country. If the authorities can accurately say that these records are falsified, they will confirm it. However, we can not say that these recordings were made by the opposition and listened to by the opposition. This was a problem during the previous government as well, but the records that have now been revealed refer to a later period, therefore, it is unthinkable for the opposition to do so. So if the government needs to prove this falsification, an investigation is important. Questions about authenticity are dispelled by the fact that several people have now and at previous hearings confirmed that similar types of conversations existed. Yesterday, the Inspector General's Office also issued a statement saying that the authenticity should be established and then investigated, because there is talk of specific people who were carrying out surveillance. We also have criminals in the face if this is proven. Therefore, the primary desire of the government should be to investigate this, however, I do not know how much we expect and hope for this, because this is not the first case of publishing such records, other cases are still uninvestigated, "- said Dolidze.
Recall that the materials were spread on the Internet, which are allegedly related to the listening and surveillance of politicians, clerics and journalists by the SUS through covert surveillance.
https://www.interpressnews.ge/ka/article/673882-samartliani-archevnebis-agmasrulebeli-direktoris-gancxadebit-kveqanashi-ukanono-miquradebis-tvaltvalisa-da-mosmenebis-kampania-masshtaburia
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Unless the GD win 43% of the vote in the Municipal Elections, there will be a General Election in the spring of 2022. IMHO the GD are still run by BI and Russia and will not want FRR to succeed. Putin wants control over the gas supply to the EU. IMHO the GD needs to lose control before FRR can get an extension to the PSA.
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Ex-president Saakashvili posts reserved ticket to Georgia for evening of municipal election day
https://agenda.ge/en/news/2021/2829
PM Garibashvili: If ‘coward Saakashvili’ returns, he will be arrested
https://agenda.ge/en/news/2021/2831
Five NATO Ships Make Port Call in Batumi
https://civil.ge/archives/443080
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Georgian Ex-President Saakashvili Says He Will Return To 'Save The Country' Despite Jail Threat
https://www.rferl.org/a/georgia-saakashvili-returns-imprisonment-elections/31481993.html
Posts: 6,250
Posted by cymro1864 on the 1st October
ZM letter to Prime Minister
30.September.2021 12:15
Frontera addresses the Prime Minister and requests a meeting with him.
AUTHOR: SHOTA TKESHELASHVILI
The Georgian subsidiary of the American energy company Frontera, which lost an arbitration dispute with the Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation and the Oil and Gas Agency in 2020, addresses the Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili. Zaza Mamulaishvili, General Director of Frontera Eastern Georgia, says that there is a targeted campaign against the company, which is reflected in the "illegal" decisions made by the court. "High-ranking officials of your cabinet are behind these illegal decisions," Mamulaishvili wrote.
A few days ago, Frontera sent a letter to the diplomatic corps, in particular, to the EU and US ambassadors to Georgia.
"As you know, Frontera Eastern Georgia won a tender announced by the Georgian government in 1997 and won a mining license for 60 million GEL. After that, it invested GEL 2 billion in the Georgian economy and gave the country an unprecedented energy independence. The harassment and harassment that began in 2013 has become even more aggressive.
After the Ministry of Economy spent GEL 45 million on an international arbitration dispute with the liquidating company (a similar example of embezzlement of state funds is not even sought), your administration has now involved a Georgian court in the case, despite the fact that the state in 1997 The agreement signed this year provides for the settlement of disputes only in international arbitration.
Judge A. Kochlamazashvili "on his own initiative", without the request of the disputing parties, used a security measure and banned the company from selling oil and gas, which it had been doing for 24 years. This is another visible example of the use of the judiciary as a tool by the authorities.
Behind these illegal decisions stand the high officials of your cabinet, these people systematically harass the employees of the company, harass the company and restrict the ability to carry out activities under the contract and the exploitation license. They personally spread misinformation and threaten people not to go out to work, intimidate people with lies and blackmail to somehow stop oil and gas operations.
In addition, they deliberately provide false information to law enforcement and diplomatic missions. All this is part of the expulsion of American and European companies and investments from Georgia and the anti-Western campaign of your administration, which is extremely detrimental to the development of the country.
By the way, this disorder is mostly present in your native Dedopliskaro district, where the company has been conducting oil operations for 24 years and is the largest employer.
Posts: 6,250
Part 2
Mr. Prime Minister, I urge you to put an end to this lawlessness immediately. Ensure lawlessness, harassment and violence against people and companies by your administration and subordinates.
We urge you to make the appropriate decisions to enable the company to produce and sell oil and gas in a safe environment.
"I am ready to meet you at any time to provide additional information," said Zaza Mamulaishvili, CEO of Frontera Eastern Georgia.
https://bm.ge/ka/article/frontera-premiers-mimartavs-da-mastan-shexvedras-itxovs/92079
Posts: 6,250
IMHO the timing is key with the letter. It highlights the GD's anti-West stance and will help to defeat the GD at the ballot box tomorrow. Remember, if ZM hadn't hounded the GD after the arbitration, they would have taken Block 12 due to an infringement of the PSA. As ZM's actions trying to steal Block 12 seemed extremely likely to be found out, was he acting like a Judas or a thief? His actions probably stopped FTI selling the asset to one of SH/O's cronies. Would the GD have allowed FRR to transfer to FRUS and make a deal with the West? IMHO until the GD are removed, then BI and his links to Putin will result in Block 12 never being developed. Hopefully, this time with NATO ships in harbour and plenty of observers, the Municipal elections can deliver a favourable result. Then it will be more pressure from Uncle Sam, NATO, the EU and the UK to get the GD to agree to an early General Election, which had been agreed in the Spring, but then ditched in the Summer. IMHO this is all about control of Europe's gas supply and is linked with NORD2, and until this is sorted the court cases over the pond are just noise.
Posts: 1,420
Georgian elections overshadowed by arrest of former president
https://www.commonspace.eu/news/georgian-elections-overshadowed-arrest-former-president
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https://agenda.ge/en/news/2021/2920
EU ambassador calls Georgian municipal elections ‘test for democracy’
Posts: 1,420
Georgian Dream Leaders Mark ‘Great Victory’
https://civil.ge/archives/445420
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Ballot Count Kicks Off After Polls Close
https://civil.ge/archives/444888
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Int’l observers: local elections in Georgia competitive, but marred by allegations of pressure on voters, vote-buying
https://agenda.ge/en/news/2021/2960
Shock Horror
Posts: 6,250
TI Georgia records 160 violations on municipal election day
Transparency International Georgia says that the Georgian government ‘still lacks political will to hold elections in line with top democratic standards’. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
Agenda.ge, 3 Oct 2021 - 13:13, Tbilisi,Georgia
Transparency International Georgia (TI Georgia) says that its more than 300 representatives observing yesterday’s municipal elections in Georgia have recorded about 160 minor and serious violations on the election day across the country.
Preliminary results: ruling party leading, but run-offs expected
We have filed 30 complaints and requested annulment of results in two precincts in Marneuli, in eastern Georgia,” TI Georgia says.
TI Georgia claims that its analyses of the pre-electoral environment and election day ‘has demonstrated that the government still lacks the political will to hold elections in line with high-level democratic standards’ and that the country is still ‘far off from its ambitious election reform goals’.
Click here to open the interactive election map
It has also slammed the country’s Central Election Commission for releasing preliminary results of the elections 11 hours following the closure of electoral precincts ‘which is a deterioration of its practice’ .
Analysis of t/ pre-electoral environment and election day has demonstrated that government still lacks political will to hold elections in line with high-level democratic standards and that Geo???????? is still far off from its ambitious election reform goals.https://t.co/Le7mkkjs1e
— Transparency Int'l GE (@Transparency_GE) October 3, 2021
Central Election Commission explains why release of municipal elections’ preliminary results requires more time than usual
TI Georgia says that most of its complaints on the election day concern alleged casting of ballots several times, violence at polling stations, verbally abusing journalists, hampering the observers’ activity, late filing of election result papers at precincts, violation of secrecy of vote and voter bribery.
It says that a new design of voting booths, which have their front cut out to prevent voters from photographing their ballots or taking the ballots out of the precinct, has questioned the secrecy of vote at smaller polling stations in regions.
The use of remodelled voting booths should be reconsidered due to a high risk of violation of secrecy of vote. However, it is important for discussions to continue about the reduction of risks of interfering in the expression of voter will,” said the organisation.
In its recommendations, TI Georgia has called on law enforcement agencies ‘to swiftly and effectively investigate’ all alleged instances of criminal violations and precinct commissions to ‘timely fill’ election result papers ‘to dispel any concerns of undue interference.’
https://agenda.ge/en/news/2021/2952
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U.S. Issues Strongly Worded Statement on Georgia’s Elections
https://civil.ge/archives/445832
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“Behave, or Face Additional Charges,” PM Warns Jailed Saakashvili
https://civil.ge/archives/445838
Posts: 6,250
US Embassy: Election Environment was Damaged by Intimidation, Vote-Buying, and Pressure
by GEORGIA TODAY October 4, 2021 in Highlights, Politics Reading Time: 3min read
US Embassy: Election Environment was Damaged by Intimidation, Vote-Buying, and Pressure
The US Embassy responded to the September 2 elections in Georgia by noting, the United States shares the OSCE ODIHR’s initial assessment that these elections were technically well-administered, but the environment was marred by widespread and consistent allegations of intimidation, vote-buying, pressure against candidates.
“While voters were able to cast their votes in a largely calm environment on October 2, the election process is about more than Election Day. We share ODIHR’s concerns about the polarized media landscape, the significant imbalance of resources and insufficient oversight of campaign finances, the under-representation of women in the campaign, reports of misuse of administrative resources, and pressure against journalists.
We commend the professional domestic election observation organizations – in particular, ISFED, GYLA, PMMG, and TI – for informing the public with sound, balanced assessments and reliable information throughout the campaign period and on Election Day. Their important contributions have, over time, improving the election process. We are concerned by reports that some of these respected domestic NGOs reported barriers to observing the elections,” reads the statement issued by the US Embassy.
The embassy notes that significant reports of misuse of administrative resources have raised doubts about the general fairness of the election, adding in many towns and villages, pressure against teachers, law enforcement officers, and other public sector workers reportedly interfered with their ability to exercise their free choice on Election Day. this type of abuse is wholly incompatible with Georgia’s democratic and Euro-Atlantic ideals. The Embassy is concerned, there is a dangerous risk these and other recurring elections violations are becoming accepted as inevitable, noting Georgian voters deserve a higher standard of integrity in their election process.
“We also regret actions that are likely to further polarize and destabilize Georgia’s already tense political situation and parties’ emphasis on personal attacks rather than addressing voters’ priorities. These actions call into question, some political parties’ commitment to the principle that political legitimacy should be won or lost at the ballot box,” reads the statement.
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Part 2
The embassy notes that Parliament’s recent efforts to implement electoral reforms to address some of the shortcomings identified in previous elections deserve praise. While some measures resulted in positive changes, the overall failure to significantly reduce recurring patterns of violations, especially during the pre-election period, is disappointing
The Embassy calls on the Parliament, including opposition parties, to recommit in good faith to strengthening Georgia’s election system in a comprehensive manner; to implement key reforms – including judicial reforms – recommended by ODIHR, the Venice Commission, and Georgia’s international partners; and to pass constitutional amendments ensuring that all future parliamentary elections will be fully proportional, as they have previously pledged to do. The Embassy notes, reform process must be implemented hand-in-hand with citizens and civil society.
“Now is the time to build political alliances among parties to urgently address the issues that are most important to Georgia’s citizens. As it has in the past, Georgia must meet the challenges of building its democracy with courage, compromise, and resolve. Each election is a chance to strengthen and improve the democratic process. On October 2, Georgia’s citizens exercised their precious right to vote, to be heard, and to hold their political leaders accountable. We call on all parties to resist efforts to further polarize the political situation, to maintain a calm post-election environment, and to ensure the fair, impartial adjudication of electoral complaints. The second round of voting is an opportunity to improve the process and conduct an orderly, competitive run-off with results Georgians can have full confidence in.
The United States is proud to have stood alongside the people of Georgia over the decades and we will continue to support Georgia’s efforts to build a strong democracy, a prosperous economy, and a stable, secure country,” reads the statement.
By Ketevan Skhirtladze
https://georgiatoday.ge/us-embassy-election-environment-was-damaged-by-intimidation-vote-buying-and-pressure/
Posts: 1,420
U.S. Senator Risch: October 2 Polls ‘Incredibly Disappointing’
U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID), the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the October 2 local elections in Georgia were “incredibly disappointing and a dramatic departure” from the 2012 parliamentary elections he observed.
The Senator said the international community will “continue to pay close attention” to the October 30 runoffs. Senator Risch called on Georgian authorities to address the issues highlighted by OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission, “particularly the violence seen during the election period, and the uneven playing field” for the opposition parties.
“A fair and open election process is the hallmark of robust democracy,” Senator Risch asserted.
Election observers of the OSCE/ODIHR, Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities and the European Parliament said on October 3 that the local elections, while competitive and technically well administered, were marred by widespread allegations of electoral violations, vote-buying, and an unlevel playing field.
Allegations of misuse of administrative resources, intimidation and pressure, raised concerns about voters’ ability to cast their vote “free of fear of retribution, at odds with OSCE commitments and international standards,” said preliminary conclusions released by the joint observation mission.
https://civil.ge/archives/446182
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US State Department urges fair treatment of Georgian ex-president Saakashvili
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Oct. 5
By Maryana Akhmedova – Trend:
The US State Department is closely watching the events in Georgia in connection with the detained ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili, Trend reports via State Department.
“We are aware of the reports of the detention of Mr. Saakashvili and we’re following developments very closely. We urge Georgian authorities to ensure that Mr. Saakashvili is afforded fair treatment in accordance with Georgian law and Georgia’s international human rights commitments and obligations,” US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said at a regular news briefing.
The ruling Georgian Dream party won the municipal elections the day after ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili returned from the exile to support the opposition.
Georgian government accused Mikheil Saakashvili of illegal crossing of the Georgian border and several criminal offenses such as the violent dispersal of anti-government mass protests in 2007, raiding of Imedi TV channel by riot police, illegal take-over of the property and other crimes, therefore he was arrested in Tbilisi on October 1.
https://en.trend.az/scaucasus/georgia/3494043.html
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NATO Military Committee Visits Tbilisi
https://civil.ge/archives/446792