Maisi.News offers unchanged copy of the Press-release by the coalition observation mission: “My Vote to EU”:
The Georgian civil society organizations’ coalition observation mission – “My Vote to EU” is monitoring the October 26 Parliamentary Elections of Georgia across all electoral districts nationwide. The mission involves nearly 2,000 individuals, including 200 citizens involved in observing polling stations abroad. Coalition observers are monitoring the electoral process in all electoral districts and at the Central Election Commission (CEC). 133 mobile groups are operating across 73 electoral districts. Observers regularly provide information about both ongoing processes at polling stations and specific violations and incidents.
According to information provided by “My Vote to EU” observers, as of 9:00 AM, out of 988 opened polling stations in Georgia:
• 69 polling stations began voting with delays
• 36 polling stations reported observer interference during opening
• 13 stations received formal complaints, while 17 stations had remarks recorded in the logbook
While most polling stations where the coalition observed opening procedures were ready on time for the first voter, dozens of stations (7% of those under observation) started voting late.
It is extremely concerning that up to 25 cases of multiple ballot distribution to voters were recorded in Tbilisi (districts 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7), Kakheti (districts 12, 14, 17, and 20), and Batumi (district 79). Additionally, attempts to vote with two ballots were recorded in electoral districts 35, 38, and 37. This clearly creates high risks of fraud. Such cases will cause problems in establishing balance in summary protocols and might be aimed at artificially creating grounds for invalidating polling station results or other manipulations.
At certain polling stations, observer access is restricted due to verification device placement, preventing monitoring of registrar activities. Such violations were recorded at precinct 25 of district 13, precinct 4 of district 12, precinct 52 of district 21, precinct 54 of district 20, precincts 13 and 14 of district 7, precinct 46 of district 5, and precincts 1 and 32 of district 64.
Nationwide technical problems with verification devices are being reported. The devices fail to register voter ID cards, forcing registrars to enter data manually. This prevents observers from verifying proper voter identification. This is particularly concerning given pre-election reports of citizen ID card confiscation.
Coalition observers were denied access at 2 polling stations in Athens.
Significant Incidents:
Illegal Restriction of Observer/Representative/Media Rights
Observer access problems are being reported. Nationwide restrictions on audio and video recording are observed, while many stations have stationary cameras pointed at voting booths and counting machines.
Cases of insufficient commission members were recorded, such as at precinct 15 of district 2.
Voting Procedure Violations
Voters with accompanying persons are being reported in Tbilisi and regions. For example, in Batumi station 79.02, the commission chair illegally entered a voting booth with a voter with visual impairments.
Polling Stations Abroad
Most foreign stations remain unopened due to time differences. Observers were initially denied access at Athens stations 38 and 39. Later, access was granted at station 38, while station 39 remains restricted for observers.
“My Vote for EU” observers will provide summary protocol photos throughout the night, to be published at wevote.ge/results. The website will also display preliminary results excerpts from stations using electronic voting. This public access allows citizens to verify official CEC data against documents obtained by observers at stations.
