The monitoring mission “My Voice”, based on information from several unrelated sources reports that representatives of the ruling Party are removing identity documents from those employed in the public sector or socially vulnerable individuals against their will.
As stated in the mission, they responded to information spread by various sources about the illegal efforts of the ruling party, to instill fear among the voters through administrative resources, intimidation, and pressure and influence their freedom of expression.
“According information from several unrelated sources the representatives of ruling party are removing the identity documents against the will of people employed in the public sector or socially vulnerable. According to reports, this action is likely to be widespread and not limited to a single administrative unit or public structure. A similar incident was reported to have occurred in Zugdidi as well as Kvareli, Kutaisi, and Tbilisi. Such methods can be used by the government to both instill fear among voters that their vote’s secrecy will not be respected during the election and to influence the outcome of the election.
The constitution guarantees that a person has the right to choose based on their own opinion, in a free environment. The constitution guarantees the secrecy surrounding the vote of the voter.
The confiscation of an ID document without a legal basis is a clear violation to the current legislation. This includes the “Personal Data Protection Law” of Georgia. The criminal law also punishes the illegal acquisition, storage and use of personal data, as well as any other access to it.
The coalition “My Vote for the European Union”, calls on the ruling party not to try to influence the constitutionally protected free will of voters. The information released by the mission states that “We continue to observe pre-election environments”.
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