As of 17:00 the polling process has been taking place in a mostly peaceful environment. Majority of polling stations where GYLA monitored opening procedures was ready to receive their first voter on time. Most of these polling stations were equipped with relevant election materials.
At this time we have observed the following violations:
Incident near Khoni Polling Station no.5 (v.Gordi) – at around 12:30pm, an incident occurred near Khoni Polling Station no.5 as supporters of the European Georgia and the Georgian Dream clashed. The confrontation began inside the polling station and continued near the electoral precinct. Our observer has reported that the confrontation was triggered by a statement made by a representative of the European Georgia alleging that supporters of the Georgian Dream were campaigning inside the polling station by stopping and talking to voters; also two of them wore T-shirts with party symbols.
We would like to underline that under para.11 of Art.45 of the Election Code, election campaigning inside a polling station is prohibited on the Polling Day. Para.z17 of Art.2 of the Code defines polling station as a building or part of a building where a poling room of a PEC is located.
We urge:
- participants of the election processes – to refrain as much as possible from any type of violence, abide by the law and ensure that their supporters are not mobilized outside polling stations. This will allow PECs to work in a peaceful and safe environment and provide voters with an opportunity for free expression of their will.
- law enforcement authorities – to eliminate any and all incidents of violence immediately and ensure peaceful conduct of the election process.
Presence of unauthorized individual outside polling stations
There are individuals outside polling stations, who are registering voters arriving at polls to cast their ballots. We would like to explain that such action amounts to indirect control over expression of voter’s will, which is a problem. These facts suggest that the need to create a regulatory framework for this issue persists, which in turn requires introducing the definition of a territory outside polling station in the Election Code.
Presence of unauthorized individuals at polling stations
At polling stations no.6 and no.9 of Vani two representatives of the European Georgia were present at the same time. At Khoni polling station no.26 two representatives a local monitoring organization International Community for Protection of Human Rights were also present at the same time, and at Vani polling station no.9, two representatives of the Georgian Dream were also present simultaneously. After observers of GYLA issued a verbal warning, the violation was corrected and one representative of each organization left the polling station.
A member of Vani Municipality Sakrebulo from Ukhuti Community was present near Vani polling station no.19 wearing a monitoring badge of Sachino Newspaper.
Improper performance of official duties by an election commission member
Three control sheets filled out at Khoni no.15 polling station were inserted in the main ballot box by mistake. The violation was eliminated, the box was opened and excess electoral sheets were removed. The ballot box was re-sealed afterwards.
At Vani DEC no.53, a member of the district electoral commission appointed by the European Georgia did not appear.
Other information
On the Polling Day, PEC members appointed by the United National Movement did not appear at their respective polling stations.
Information about the Monitoring Mission
GYLA will release another statement on the polling process, and on April 29 at 12:00 it will hold a briefing to sum up the Election Day.
Nearly 20 observers of GYLA are monitoring the by-elections of the Parliament of Georgia in Vani and Khoni through static as well as mobile groups. In consideration of GYLA’s monitoring experience, particular attention is paid to polling stations that proved to be problematic during previous elections.
Since the day it was founded in 1994, GYLA has been actively monitoring elections of legislative and executive authorities and local self-government, in an attempt to promote conduct of elections in a peaceful and fair environment and unwavering abidance by the Georgian legislation during electoral processes.
