Election Day Observation Results by 20:00

By 20:00[1], based on information provided by GYLA observers, the voting procedure was held without any substantial violatinos. However, the negative tendency of the first half of the day has resumed: the charged environment in Zugdidi district and control over voters’ will throughout all other districts, which was caused by the coordinators and supporters, being mobilized at the adjacent territories around the polling stations.

In Zugdidi electoral district, throughout the entire day, various incidents were revealed at different polling stations and adjacent territories – between supporters of political parties. In this context, the words o fthe leader of the United National Movement – Mikheil Saakashvili are concerning, as they cause further escalation of the situation.[2] Ex-president, in his statement, also belittles the role of the observer organizations.[3]

The detention of the journalist/editor of online news agency Presa.ge – Mr. Giorgi Kapanadze  in Zugdidi district is particularly notable.[4] As confirmed by the widespread footage, there were no legal grounds for his detention, while the actions of the police have reflected exceeding one’s authority and require further examination.

According to the information, provided by GYLA observer, in Tskaltubo, where electronic vote count is being tested, technical problems remain, causing temporary suspension of voting process in 2 polling stations.

After 14:00, GYLA applied to the electrion administration with one complaint, relating to the repeated voting at the polling station #83 of the Zugdidi district (in total GYLA has applied with complaints on 7 violations in total).

GYLA observers remain deployed at the relevant polling stations and continue to observe the voting process.

GYLA Observation Mission on the Election Day

GYLA is observing the May 19/2019 Parliament’s By-Elections in the Mtatsminda majoritarian district; Mayor’s Extraordinary Elections in Mtatsminda, Marneuli, Zugdidi and Khulo districts, as well as Interim Elections of Tskaltubo and Ozurgeti Municipality Councils. GYLA has total 50 observers deployed.

Static observers are deployed in 22 electoral precincts throughout Georgia. GYLA is observing in 6 districts through 17 mobile groups and 7 district observers. GYLA emphasizes both compliance with electoral procedures (opening, voting and summary procedures at the polling station), as well as the developments surrounding the polling stations on the adjacent territories. When revealig violations, GYLA interferes with strategic litigation mechanism at the district election commissions and in the courts.

On the election day, GYLA is operating the special hotline, allowing citizens to obtain legal consultations regarding the electoral procedures.

GYLA is also operating the hotline for journalists and media organizations, where they can receive useful information and legal consultations regarding elections, violations and the ways to respond to them.

The hotline number is: 032 2 18 26 30

On May 20, GYLA will summarize the observation at 12:00.

On May 19, monitoring mission was made possible with the financial suppor tof the Open Society Georgia Foundations (OSGF). The opinions reflected in this statement are sole responsibility of GYLA and may not reflect those of the donor.

[1] GYLA might not reflect incidents that happened before 20:00 in cases when GYLA did not receive information at the time, or is in the process of verficiation;

[2] Mikheil Saakashvili – if they touch something, we do not plan to sit still and wait for the conclusions – certainlywe don’t plan to wait for someone for six months, information agency Interpressnews, available at: https://www.interpressnews.ge/ka/article/547274-mixeil-saakashvili-tu-raimeze-xeli-caucdebat-ar-vapirebt-xelebis-chamoshvebas-da-daskvnebis-imedad-qopnas-meti-sakme-ar-makvs-ekvsi-tve-vigacis-daskvnas-velodo/, updated: 19.05.2019; Mikheil Saakashvili to his supporters – we must be at the offensive, only offensive, information agency Interpressnews, available at: https://www.interpressnews.ge/ka/article/547269-mixeil-saakashvili-mxardamcherebs-chven-unda-viqot-shetevaze-shetevaze-da-mxolod-shetevaze/, updated: 19.05.2019.

[3] Ibid.

[4] presa.ge editor – Giorgi Kapanadze’s detention footage from Zugdidi, online agency Netgazeti, source Rustavi 2, updated 19.05.2019: https://www.facebook.com/netgazeti/videos/883844198636092/?v=883844198636092