The OSCE/ODIHR deployed an election observation mission to monitor the runoff municipal elections in Georgia. Chaired by Ambassador Albert Jonsson, the mission dispatched 150 observes to monitor Election Day. However, as Ambassador Jonsson explained, observing elections is a “comprehensive work.” The mission has been in Georgia since August 24 to observe the whole election process.

“This is because although the election day is very important, and we take a very close, attentive to look at all the proceedings on election day and vote counting. But as I say, we are also interested in the whole process, and we observe. When we have finished the observation, we come forward with our conclusions and findings.

This we will do tomorrow, then, in some weeks time, we will have out a final report, which may include recommendations for the consideration of the Georgian authorities and Georgian society. What we do is a way we contribute to a process of a democratic election, and that’s how our job. It is up to the Georgian people and the Georgian authorities, what to do with our recommendations,” he said.

The OSCE/ODIHR will publish the preliminary assessments and findings of the runoff local elections in Georgia on October 31.