ODIHR report: Interlocutors describe the political landscape as highly polarized, and the discourse as aggressive

Several ODIHR EOM interlocutors describe the political landscape as highly polarized, and the discourse as aggressive, with frequent accusations of disinformation Election Observation Mission, - reads the OSCE/ODIHR interim report on the upcoming elections in Georgia.

According to the document, the campaign is prominent particularly in print and online media, and social networks.

“Most contestants met by the ODIHR EOM did not raise concerns about their ability to campaign freely, including in minority languages. Several ODIHR EOM interlocutors describe the political landscape as highly polarized, and the discourse as aggressive, with frequent accusations of disinformation being spread. Most opposition parties met by the ODIHR EOM state that the political environment unduly favours the ruling party, including in access to campaign donations, and expressed concerns that the recent launch of a number of social and economic projects by the government further compounds the issue. While the law prohibits launching of the social and economic projects after the call of the elections, the government has claimed the projects were launched before the call”, reads the report.

According to the document, citizen and international organizations, as well as representatives of the contestants can observe the entire electoral process. To date, 64 national and 29 international organisations have been registered to observe the municipal elections. Some ODIHR EOM interlocutors have raised concerns about the practice of political parties artificially increasing their presence in polling stations under the guise of non-partisan citizen election observation.

“Several national minority representatives are running as mayoral and municipal council (sakrebulo) candidates, mostly in minority-populated areas. The election administration provides ballot papers, voter information and polling staff training in minority languages. • Contestants and observers can file complaints with election commissions and the courts. In line with previous ODIHR recommendations, the deadlines for filing and reviewing complaints have been extended, and for the first time, complaints may also be filed electronically. Other recommendations, including on broader legal standing and powers of DEC and CEC chairpersons to review certain complaints have not been fully addressed. To date, some 120 complaints were filed, mainly on procedural issues, the misuse of state resources, candidate registration, and PEC appointments. Most of them were rejected”, reads the report.

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