**OSCE Report: Georgia’s Parliamentary Elections Were Flawed**
The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has released its final report on the 26 October parliamentary elections in Georgia. The report confirms many of the concerns that were raised before and during the election.
**Concerns Over Fundamental Freedoms**
The ODIHR report notes that the election took place amidst serious concerns about fundamental freedoms, including freedom of speech and assembly. The recent adoption of legislation had limited these freedoms, and there was pressure on voters to cast their ballots in a certain way.
**Problems with Election Day Practices**
On election day, observers reported that some voters were not able to cast their votes without fear of retribution. There were also problems with the secrecy of the vote and procedural inconsistencies. These issues negatively impacted public trust in the election process.
**Complaints Were Not Fully Addressed**
The ODIHR report also notes that many complaints about the election were not fully considered, which limited legal remedies for voters. The forcible suppression of protests and numerous arrests caused grave concerns about compliance with international commitments to freedom of peaceful assembly.
**Need for Urgent Action**
The head of the ODIHR observation mission to Georgia, Eoghan Murphy, emphasized that it is imperative for the authorities to urgently address all concerns. He noted that “numerous issues” had negatively impacted the integrity of the elections and eroded public trust in the process.
**Recommendations for Improvement**
The ODIHR report includes a number of recommendations to improve the conduct of elections in Georgia. These include changes to law and practice to address low public trust, ensure the transparency and integrity of the electoral process, and increase the ability of voters to cast their ballots without fear.
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