30/11/2012 Election observation
Strasbourg, 30.11.2012 – Despite a very tense and polarised campaign, the parliamentary elections in Georgia on 1 October 2012 were generally conducted “in a democratic manner and in line with European standards and Council of Europe commitments,” according to the PACE observers’ final report debated by the Standing Committee in Andorra today.
All parties campaigned actively during the campaign period, during which the principles of freedom of assembly, association and expression were respected, despite some isolated incidents, notes the report prepared by Luca Volontè (Italy, EPP/CD). However, the election campaign was overshadowed by the issue of campaign and political party financing, and the observers criticised in particular the disproportionate fines handed down to the parties belonging to the Georgian Dream coalition during the campaign.
The observers made a positive assessment of the conduct of the vote, but the report points out that, in the regions, “a number of isolated incidents took place during the vote count and pressure was exerted on party proxies and observers”.
For the democratic development of the country, it is now important for all political actors to overcome their antagonisms and work together constructively. The newly elected parliament should amend the electoral code to remedy the shortcomings that still exist in the electoral legislation. The report concludes that the authorities should also ensure that the provisions in the Law on Political Unions of Citizens – concerning in particular campaign and political party financing – are fully in line with European standards.