The National Democratic Institute (NDI) announced today the launch of its international limited long-term election assessment mission for the 2021 municipal elections in Georgia. As InterPressNews was told by the organization, the effort builds on NDI’s series of high-level meetings that aim to demonstrate support for Georgia’s democratic development and European and Euro-Atlantic integration and reinforce the international community’s expectation for adherence by all parties to the principles of genuine democratic elections and political processes.

NDI’s limited long-term election assessment team includes three long-term analysts (LTAs) and a mission director, supported by additional Georgia-based assistants. The team is focused on a select number of key electoral themes, including: the conduct of political campaigns, the administration of elections, Georgia’s media and information space, gender and inclusion issues, as well as the impact of Covid-19 on the elections. NDI will use data gathered from the assessment team to inform recommendations as it continues its engagement in the coming months to strengthen Georgia’s electoral process.

The assessment team arrived in Tbilisi on September 4 and 5, and will remain in Georgia through election day. They will respect social distancing and additional covid-19 protocols throughout the duration of their stay in Georgia. NDI’s international limited long-term election assessment mission will conduct its activities in a nonpartisan, professional manner, in accordance with Georgian law and the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation.

This mission is made possible with the support of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

NDI is a non-profit, non-partisan, non-governmental organization that works in partnership around the world to strengthen and safeguard democratic institutions, processes, norms and values to secure a better quality of life for all. NDI envisions a world where democracy and freedom prevail, with dignity for all.