OSCE Issues Final Report on Georgia’s Presidential Polls

Although election day and voting were generally assessed positively, the vote count and tabulation was evaluated “less positively,” according to the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission’s final report on Georgia’s January 5 presidential election.

The final report mainly reiterates earlier findings released in pre-election and post-election interim reports.

“A significant 23% of [vote] counts [out of a total of 180] observed by IEOM [International Election Observation Mission] observers were assessed as bad or very bad,” the report reads. “Adherence to procedures was rated as bad or very bad in 17% of counts observed, and the PECs’ [Precinct Election Commissions] understanding of procedures and their performance were rated negatively in 18 and 17%, respectively, of counts observed. In most polling stations observed, the counting process was very slow. IEOM observers reported that in 8% of counts observed, they had witnessed tampering with voter list entries, election results, or results protocols. In 21% of counts observed, they reported significant procedural errors or omissions. Some 35% of PECs did not perform various steps of the vote count in the prescribed order.”

Christian Strohal, the ODIHR director, said: “This report identifies the positive aspects noted by our observer mission, as well as a number of significant shortcomings that we urge the Georgian authorities to address in time for the parliamentary elections in May.”

The report also lays out recommendations with regard to the process of voting and counting, the tabulation and announcement of results, as well as complaints and appeals procedures.

ODIHR has already received an invitation from the Georgian authorities to observe the upcoming parliamentary elections this May. ODIHR plans to deploy a standard long-term observer mission several weeks ahead of polling day.