The report provides in details deficiencies observed in pre-election period, during the Election Day and while calculation of election results. It submits the main trends that were characteristic to the October 27, 2013 Presidential Elections. Moreover, the report contains concrete recommendations which we think will assist individuals involved in election process to reinforce their achievements and to eliminate gaps of the Presidential Elections. 

 

GYLA implemented pre-election monitoring in Tbilisi and seven regions of Georgia. At the same time GYLA carried out monitoring of the process of manning precinct election commissions in 73 election districts.   

 

At the polling day, GYLA was represented at 36 elections districts with its election observers and mobile monitoring groups. The election districts monitored by GYLA are the following: Batumi, Khelvachauri, Kobuleti, Keda, Kutaisi, Tskhaltubo, Baghdati, Samtredia, Terjola, Ozurgeti, Lanchkhuti, Chokhatauri, Poti, Martvili, Gori, Kareli, Kaspi, Khashuri, Rustavi, Marneuli, Gardabani, Bolnisi, Telavi, Sagarejo, Gurjaani and Dusheti, as well as 10 election districts in Tbilisi. Totally GYLA had more than 400 observers at all levels of election commissions. GYLA also had its election monitors in Great Britain (London) and Germany (Berlin).

 

Since the Election Day until calculation of election results, GYLA’s monitors observed the process in 36 district election commissions and in the Central Election Commission. 

 

Compared to the 2012 Parliamentary Elections, pre-election campaign of 2013 Presidential Elections was carried out in a peaceful environment. Presidential candidates had opportunity of carry out election program oriented campaign. In the monitoring period GYLA observed less violation than it was in previous elections. 

 

GYLA assessed the process of pre-election campaign in mid-term monitoring report. In pre-election period (July 4 – October 26) GYLA’s monitors observed 9 facts of alleged political pressure; 5 instances of illegal participation in pre-election agitation, 5 cases of alleged vote-buying, one case of interference with media’s activities and 5 cases of hindering pre-election campaign. Moreover, there were some massive and some individuals facts of dismissal from the office. Information about the facts was permanently submitted to election administration, as well as to interagency commission for free and fair election and the state audit service. 

 

GYLA submitted 4 applications in election administration, 9 applications in interagency commission and 4 applications in the state audit service on the observed deficiencies in pre-election period. In the same period GYLA lodged a complaint in the court for increase of the budget of Adjara Autonomous Republic. GYLA also represented interests of Salome Zurabishvili and Zurab Tsitsuashvili, presidential candidates with double citizenship in the city and appellate courts, when they were refused on registration, 

 

In general, according to GYLA’s observation, voters had chance to make their choice without restriction at the polling day. Distancing law enforcement agencies from the election process and restriction of special polling stations should be assessed positively. Giving chance to law enforcement agencies to make choice according to the place of their residence (registration) was important factor for positive conduct of the elections. Save for some concrete cases, election administration was dedicated to make adequate response on the remarks of GYLA’s observers and to correct their mistakes. According to our observations majority of violations were caused for insufficient knowledge of election legislation, rather than resulted from  intentional conduct. At the polling day, GYLA’s observers submitted 33 complaints in district election commissions and 50 remarks in the log book. 

 

The process of calculating summary protocols in district election commissions and the central election commission were transparent. There were mainly technical gaps observed such as incorrect completion of election documentation, as well as failure to observe certain procedural issues. As opposed to previous practice, save for some exceptions, decisions made by election commission were substantiated. GYLA’s observers identified some facts when district election administration proactively, upon its initiative studied the facts of violation and imposed responsibility on violators. In view of this GYLA’s monitors refrained from submitting complaints on detected violations. In post election period GYLA filed 153 pieces of complaints in the district election commission and 3 complaints in a court.  Out of 153 complaints district election commissions fully satisfied 72 complaints and partially satisfied 38 complaints. Out of 3 cases submitted to the court 1 was satisfied completely and one partially.