The institution has been committed to full transparency for many years to ensure an inclusive process. This is expressed through appropriate legislative amendments and measures that meet European and international standards, stated Giorgi Kalandarishvili, Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC).

Kalandarishvili was asked about the statement by U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, who said, “We want to see free and fair elections in Georgia, and we will be watching the coming days closely.”

“One of the prerequisites for fair and free elections is transparent, public activity. For many years, especially in the last year and a half, the institution has declared complete openness not only in terms of accessibility to activities but also to ensure an inclusive process. This is expressed through the creation of appropriate working platforms, legislative changes, and measures that meet European and international standards and serve to ensure that election day is administered according to international standards,” Kalandarishvili explained.

“This is also emphasized by the assessment made by the U.S. Ambassador a few days ago regarding the leaders of the election administration and its team, as well as by the OSCE/ODIHR interim report published a few days ago. The report emphasizes the readiness in technical and professional directions, the transparency of the institution, its openness, and the steps the institution is taking to make the process inclusive, transparent, and accessible. In fact, this answers all the manipulations and speculations that have existed in past years regarding election day,” he continued.

Kalandarishvili added that these efforts effectively address any manipulations or speculations that have existed in previous years regarding election day procedures.