The GYLA responds to the case of alleged control over voters’ will

According to the information provided to the GYLA monitors, kindergarten and school teachers and civil servants in Tbilisi and the regions have been instructed to mark the ballot paper in a different form when they cast a vote at the polling stations tomorrow, in particular, to circle the sequence number of the election subject in a square form and, also, to make a photo of the choice they make.  

In this case, if the aforementioned is true, we will be dealing with a violation of the electoral legislation. In particular, the Election Code prohibits:     

- any influence restricting a free expression of the will of voters, as well as any control over the expression of the will of voters;

- conducting photo and video shooting.

We call upon:

The election subjects and representatives of public agencies:

- not to allow the use of administrative resources and any influence that will be perceived as control over the will of voters.  

Voters:

- to express their will freely when marking the ballot paper and not to violate the electoral legislation by making photos or videos in the voting booth;

- in the case of pressure, to approach us in the central office in Tbilisi and in the regional offices in Batumi, Kutaisi, Gori, Dusheti, Rustavi, Telavi, Zugdidi, and Ozurgeti.