U.S. Concerned Over Delays in Vote Count in Georgia
The U.S. urged all Georgian leaders “to continue working to ensure that the final voter count is transparent and fair.”
“Yesterday [November 3] we noted that there were inaccuracies in the voter lists that lessened voter confidence in the election process. Overnight [from November 3 to November 4], the vote count was stopped in Georgia. This was something of great concern to us. Our Ambassador in Tbilisi raised it with Georgian officials. Early today, the vote counting resumed. Our goal remains a free and fair election, and we are focusing our efforts on ensuring an honest count in a timely way,” Adam Ereli, the Deputy Spokesman of the U.S. Department of State said at a news briefing on November 4.
“I would say we’ve seen the OSCE statements [which condemned irregularities during November 2 parliamentary elections]. We have some of the same concerns as the OSCE. This election is, and its aftermath, are still, you know, being worked out. Let’s let the process work its way through and make a considered judgment based on what actually happens, both in the last few days, and in the next few days,” Adam Ereli stated.
On November 3 the U.S. Department of States also commented on Georgian elections. “As results are tabulated in the parliamentary elections, we call on all parties and candidates to refrain from the threat or use of violence,” Adam Ereli said at a news briefing on November 3.
He also said that “on the positive side, we also note that the OSCE recognized that certain aspects of the election demonstrated significant progress, notably the passage of the Unified Election Code and the transparency of the new Central Election Commission.”
“The United States, in partnership with the OSCE, the UN, and other friends of Georgia, will maintain its support for democracy as Georgia prepares to install a new parliament and looks toward the presidential elections of 2005,” U.S. Department of States Deputy Spokesman added.
