The National Democratic Institute‘s (NDI) international electoral observation mission (IEOM), deployed to the October 26, Georgia parliamentary elections, presented its preliminary findings today.
The delegation, which included six long-term and 22 short-term observers from fifteen countries, was led the Honorable Tom Malinowski, a former United States Congressman and Assistant Secretary of State in charge of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. Ambassador Per Eklund, a former European Union ambassador to Georgia, and Dr. Tamara Cofman Wittes, NDI’s President, were also part.
“We’ve seen both claims and counter-claims about the election’s result, including legitimate concerns regarding the fairness of overall election process,” Mr. Malinowski said. “The International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy, the primary domestic observer, is still working on the detailed report for its parallel vote tabulation. We urge everyone to respect this.” We have confidence in the method, which is used in over fifty countries, as well as in the integrity and care that ISFED takes in implementing it.
Election assessment requires a thorough examination of all aspects of the election process, not just the events that take place on election day. The NDI report states that widespread threats, harassment, and violence affected voters, activists, political actors, and others during the pre-election phase.
“While Georgians’ commitment to democracy was demonstrated by a higher turnout at the 2024 parliamentary election than in the previous two elections, it is clear that pre-election failed to meet the fundamental standards of democratic elections,” said Eklund. “State-sponsored attempts to discredit election monitors, legislation targeting civil societies, and voter intimidation reports by observers leading up to and during election day severely undermined fairness.”
According to NDI observers in ten regions of the country, voting largely followed the law. Citizen observer groups, however, reported a significant rise in serious violations compared to the previous elections. This included incidents of violence and vote stuffing.
“The Georgians have clearly expressed their value for their democratic path. Georgian political actors need to move beyond their winner takes all mentality and commit themselves to pluralism in order to advance this path. Georgia’s ruling party has a special duty in this regard,” said Dr. Wittes. “The government must maintain neutrality in politics, allow peaceful demonstrations, and protect all Georgians’ right to participate in the political life.”
The NDI mission believes that it is urgent and necessary for Georgian stakeholders, to address electoral integrity deficiencies and rebuild public trust. The statement that was presented today is a preliminary document and offers recommendations in the spirit international cooperation to promote pluralism in Georgia and inclusive elections.
The delegation arrived at Tbilisi, Georgia on October 21 and met with representatives of the diplomatic community, civil society organizations, media, and senior government officials.
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NDI has organized over 250 international observation missions and assessments in every part of the world including 11 elections in Georgia. NDI thanks the United States Agency for International Development, which funded the work of this delegation.
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NDI is a non profit, non partisan, non governmental organization that works with partners around the globe to strengthen and safeguard democratic processes, institutions, norms, and values in order to ensure a better standard of living for all. NDI envisions a society where democracy and freedom are the norm, with dignity for everyone.
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