CSOs for Fair and Democratic Elections

Recently a group of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) united to monitor the parliamentary election process in Georgia. CSO representatives got together holding the government accountable for fair and democratic elections.

The major think-tanks of Georgia and pressure groups united on the eve of parliamentary elections after the crisis with the election code appeared. The opposition of the government and CSO representatives consider the Citizens Union of Georgia (CUG) and new party coalition “For New Georgia” headed by the president of Georgia will take any measures to falsify the results of the parliamentary elections in Georgia.

CSO representatives worry that with the defined date of the voting (November 2, 2003,) the election code and composition of central election commission (CEC) are still left as the major topics of discussion. 

CSO representatives say this election is the most important, as future of presidential voting will be decided now. Besides, they consider the time has come to show the world democracies that Georgia can conduct elections in fair and democratic way.

CSOs have formed coordination council with the possibility for any CSO to join the group. The coordination council arranges meetings and organizes the activity of different working groups operating in various directions.

One of the main targets of the council is independent media as they believe free media involvement in the election process is crucial. The working group will conduct training of TV and radio journalists and editors for planning the editions and analyzing pre and post election processes. “It is essential that independent media takes part in the election process, guaranteeing objective and timely information for the electorate.”- Lia Chakhunashvili of IREX Media Innovations Program says. This organization also plans to announce the grant proposals for the regional TV companies.

In pre-election period newspapers will have additional pages presenting latest events and answers to the key questions the electorate is interested in.

CSOs also pay attention to the regional NGO involvement. CSO working group on regional NGO network development pays country wide visits for establishing contacts and spreading information about their activities.

“Students will also take place in our campaigns for raising youth awareness about the importance of taking part in the elections process”-Levan Ramishvili, of Liberty Institute says.

International organizations will also contribute to the monitoring of the parliamentary election. Natia Japaridze of Council of Europe says their organization considers discussing the election code; however they are still waiting to the final version of the law. At the same time Council of Europe plans to issue the election guideline brochure for the journalists.

The working group on regional NGO network development had already conducted regional visit to Shida Kartli region (Gori) and plan to arrange further campaigns in other parts of Georgia.

Advocacy.ge will keep you updated about the development of the event.