On May 22, 2016, GYLA monitored by-elections of Sakrebulos in Gardabani, Kaspi, Tskaltubo, Ozurgeti, Khobi, Zugdidi and Gldani districts.
Our observers made four remarks in logbook and one complaint regarding improper filling of control paper and requested to impose disciplinary liability to Chairman and Secretary. Election administration was responding adequately on oral remarks of GYLA representatives during the day and was correcting procedural violations of election legislation. GYLA representatives were not filling the complaints if violations were corrected.
Unlike the voting process, vote tabulation procedures took place in peaceful environment and without procedural violations in those Precinct Election Commissions (PEC) that were monitored by GYLA representatives. Supporters of election subjects were still in the adjacent areas of several PECs, but they were observing the tabulation process peacefully.
Exception was Kaspi #30.12 district, where verbal confrontation took place in District #37, between District Election Members assigned along party lines that was resolved in timely manner.
GYLA representatives did not make complaints in the logbook, except Zugdidi #67.15 53 and Kaspi #30.12 22 precincts, namely: during vote tabulation process, when the members of the commission completed vote tabulation, it was revealed that the number of signatures of voters that arrived at precinct was not indicated in demonstration protocol and logbook. Members of the Commission refused to re-tabulate the votes and the data was indicated without an accurate calculation. GYLA representative requested annulation of the summary protocol, re-tabulation of votes and liability of members of the Commission.
As regards Kaspi District 22, GYLA representative filled in one complaint as discrepancies were revealed between control papers. GYLA representative requested termination of the summary process, sealing of ballot box and sending it to the District Election Commission. But the PEC continued tabulation process. GYLA appealed to DEC requesting to declare void the results and impose responsibility to commission members. It should be noted that GYLA representative arrived at the DEC at 23:35 but the Commission only registered the complaint at 00:05 and delayed the procedures.
In total GYLA representatives made four remarks in logbook and one complaint.
GYLA identified the following violations on voting day:
Facts of physical violence and interference with professional activities of reporters in adjacent areas of Kortskheli Election District 53, that is especially disturbing.
Incidents in adjacent areas of election districts:
Facts of verbal confrontation took place in adjacent areas of Tskaltubo District #50 among representatives of Georgian Dream and National Movement.
Facts of attempts of indirect influence on will of voters
In adjacent areas of Zugdidi #53 and #54 Districts several groups of people were observed that were recording the voters arrived at precincts and were video recording them. The voters recording process was also observed at Ozurgeti District #7. Please see the video footage of GYLA observer. The abovementioned facts is assessed by GYLA as attempt of indirect influence on voters’ free will.
Supporters of election subjects were mobilized in adjacent areas of Gardabani, Kaspi, Ozurgeti and Tskaltubo Districts.
Using administrative resources:
Alleged fact of using administrative resource was observed in Ozurgeti District, namely: MP of Goergia Giorgi Gviniashvili was driving around in government-owned vehicle. The latter confirmed this fact with media, but refused the fact of participation in agitation.
Violations observed by GYLA representatives during the day:
Majority of those precincts where GYLA monitored the opening procedures, were ready to receive first voters on time. In one case, namely Zugdidi #53 District the procedures of voting started 20 minutes late.
As regards the procedures of the voting process, despite certain procedural violations, the voting process took place in calm and peaceful environment. The voting process ended at 20:00.
Violation of secrecy of vote
One fact of violation of secrecy of vote was observed in Kaspi #37 District, when voter voted outside polling booth and declared openly regarding the decision made.
Fact of voting with improper documentation
Fact of voting with improper documentation was observed in Kaspi #37 District, namely: an IDP participated in the voting process without IDP ID that is a violation of Election Code, according to which IDP should provide an IDP card together with an ID.
Improper filling of control paper
GYLA representative observed improper filling of control paper on Tskaltubo #51 Election District.
Registering unauthorized person as an observer and presence in PEC
Member of Lanchkhuti Sakrebulo, Kakha Askurava was present as an observer in Ozurgeti #59 Election Precinct. According to the Election Code, member of Sakrebulo is not authorized to be an observer. An order of CEC secretary regarding registration of Askurava as an observer was annulled later and he left the precinct.
Additional information
Up to twenty GYLA representatives were monitoring the voting process statically as well as via mobile teams. Besides monitoring the voting process, GYLA representatives also observed supporters of different election subjects in adjacent areas of PECs that were gathered around PECs and in most cases provoked the escalation of situation.
Since the day of its establishment (1994) GYLA actively monitors elections of legislative, executive and local self-governance and tries to support conducting elections in calm, fair environment and observing Georgian legislation during election processes.
