The National Democratic Institute (NDI) deployed an international delegation today to observe the October 26 parliamentary elections in Georgia, the Press Service of the NDI representative office in Georgia reported.

According to NDI, the delegation includes 22 political and civic leaders, elections experts, and regional specialists from nine countries; they join six thematic long-term analysts who were deployed in July. The leaders of the delegation are the Honorable Tom Malinowski, former United States Congressman and former Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor; Ambassador Per Eklund, former European Union Ambassador to Georgia; and Dr. Tamara Cofman Wittes, NDI’s President.

“This will be Georgia’s first election since it submitted its application for European Union candidacy,” said Mr. Malinowski. “It will give Georgian citizens an opportunity to decide the direction of their country, and the Georgian government and all political stakeholders a chance to demonstrate their commitment to democratic procedures and values.”

During its stay in Georgia, the delegation will meet with a wide array of stakeholders, including the Central Election Commission (CEC), government officials, civil society leaders, citizen observers, and political party leaders. They will observe the elections process with particular focus on the areas of election administration, the legal framework, the information and media environment, political climate and campaign environment, and inclusion of Georgia’s diverse citizenry as candidates and voters.
On election day, the mission will visit polling stations across nine regions and Tbilisi to observe the administration of the polls, including the opening, voting, tabulation, transmission, and publication of results. After the election, the mission will present a preliminary statement with its findings and recommendations.

“This is a chance to reaffirm Georgia’s place on the global stage as a resilient and forward-looking democracy,” said Ambassador Eklund. “It is incumbent upon all political parties to demonstrate that Georgia, despite rising political polarization, continues to make democratic progress and is committed to its transparent, pluralist, and democratic path.”

NDI has observed approximately 200 elections in every region in the world, including elections in Georgia since 1992. NDI’s International Observation Mission will be conducted in accordance with Georgia’s law and the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation.

“NDI’s observation mission is a demonstration of the international community’s support for credible elections and democratic governance in Georgia,” said Dr. Wittes. “These elections mark a pivotal moment for the country’s democratic future, and NDI is honored to stand with Georgian citizens as they make their voices heard in determining their country’s future.”

This deployment follows a pre-election assessment mission conducted in February.

This mission is made possible with the support of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS). The International Republic Institute (IRI) is also conducting an International Election Observation Mission in Georgia.