GYLA monitoring observations on mid-term elections of October 2, 2011

Format of the mission
GYLA was monitoring the mid-term elections of the Parliament of Georgia held on October 2, 2011 in Telavi election district No.17. It has implemented the monitoring with the help of three mobile groups which have encompassed 54 precinct election commissions of Telavi district. During the polling day GYLA observers were monitoring process at the polling stations on a systematic basis. In general, the polling day was held in peaceful environment and no significant violations were detected. Mainly there were only procedural or technical gaps distinguished.

Deficiencies of the Polling Day
Procedural gaps were detected most frequently in polling stations of the village Kharajali (No.37; 38; 39; and 54 ). Ballot papers have not been printed on a language that national minorities were able to understand and therefore, majority of voters were unable to vote independently. Frequently, voters in the polling booths needed assistance in making their choice that inhibited conduct of balloting in an organized way. There were instances when voters indicated each other to vote for a specific election subject.

Control over expression of Voters’ will
Like local self-government elections of May 30, 2010 at the mid-term elections of the Parliament of Georgia held on October 2, 2011 there were facts of controlling voters who came at the polling station. Small groups of persons near the precinct election commission recorded the persons who came to vote. GYLA observers could not identify these individuals, nor could they define their party affiliation. Nevertheless the fact that this group of individuals controlled and recorded the voters who came at the polling station comes into conflict with Article 8 of the “Election Code of Georgia”. According to the Article any influence which restricts the free expression of the voters’ will, as well as control over expression of voter’s will is forbidden.

GYLA complaints
GYLA observers mainly identified procedural deficiencies at the polling day. In particular, lack of relevant requisites on the election documentation (polling stations No 19, 38, 39, 51), violation of voting procedure by means of mobile ballot box (polling station No.42); procedures to open the ballot box and count the votes (polling station No.16). In certain cases observers made remarks in the record book.

At the polling day GYLA observers drafted three complaints:
1.    On violation of the procedure to fill in the control paper at the precinct election commissions No.19 and No.38 of Telavi district election commission No.17.
2.    On violation of the procedures connected to opening the ballot box and counting the votes in the precinct election commission No. 16 of district election commission No. 17. GYLA observers demanded to impose liability on the members of precinct election commission who violated procedures.
GYLA observers attended the procedure of examining complaints at Telavi district election commission No. 17.