News

 

HRC will observe the local self-government elections on October 2, 2021, in three regions of Georgia: Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli and Imereti. 

 

On the elections day, HRC will monitor the voting process through some static observers as well as through mobile groups. Throughout the day, 51 representatives of HRC will observe various stages and procedures of the elections: Opening of the polling station, voting, vote counting, completion of the summary protocols and so on. 

 

HRC will disseminate and provide information to the media throughout the day on the facts of alleged violations in various precincts. The executive director of HRC shall hold three briefings during the day at the media center established with the support of the Open Society Foundation. 

 

In Kakheti and Kvemo Kartli, the observation process will be carried out mainly in the regions inhabited by ethnic minorities. Prior to the elections, the monitors selected by HRC were trained in election monitoring issues. 

 

After the elections, HRC will publish and disseminate a report presenting monitoring results.

 

The project also envisaged observation of the pre-election period with the help of long-term observers. During the observation process, attention shall be paid to the following issues:  Use of administrative resources for electoral purposes, staffing of election commissions, undue influence upon the voters, voter coercion and bribing, cases of stalking, intimidation, and violence against the electoral subjects and other significant violations.

 

HRC published today a Summary Newsletter, which reflects the trends and findings identified during the monitoring of the pre-election period.  

 

HRC and International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) also disseminated a public statement today assessing the political context of the pre-election period, issues related to judicial independence including the court proceedings with alleged political motives, problems related to freedom of peaceful assembly, and alarming facts of illegal wiretapping.  

 

HRC is a member organization of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) from Georgia.