International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy, Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, Transparency International and the Article 42 of the Constitution express extreme concern over frequent acts of pressure on local self-government agencies. Post-election observation has made it clear members and employees of Sakrebulo were subjected to pressure at various occasions and in various forms, including representatives of in Marneuli, Samtredia, Poti municipalities, whereas on November 12-13, pressure on representatives of Tetritskaro and Tsalka municipalities grew into clearly illegal and violent acts.

We believe that local self-government amounts to the right and the opportunity of Georgian citizens to regulate and manage issues of local importance independently, through local self-government agencies and pursuant to applicable law, with their own responsibility and for the good of the local population. Therefore, any interference in the work of local self-governments and pressure on them, hindering or obstructing their normal functioning is alarming.

We call on all political parties and their supporters, to refrain from any kind of pressure on local self-government; further we apply to relevant agencies with a request for a probe into and prosecution of these frequent acts of pressure.