“It is clear from the OSCE/ODIHR report that the elections were free and competitive. This is evident from the overall content of the report. I would like to express my gratitude to OSCE/ODIHR once again,” the Georgian Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, stated during today’s press conference.

As the Head of Government highlighted, the conclusion emphasizes that the overall legislation provided an adequate framework for the conduct of democratic elections.

“I would like to share key points from the OSCE/ODIHR assessment. Firstly, the legislation ensured an appropriate environment for democratic elections. Party registration was conducted properly, offering voters a wide range of choices. Electoral participants were able to campaign freely, the media was diverse, the preparation process was well-managed, the election administration handled technical aspects effectively, and election day was procedurally well-organized. The legislation also enabled active observation by both citizens and foreign observers. Both sides informed OSCE/ODIHR about isolated incidents of violence.

The conclusion, as in any country, also includes critical remarks, particularly regarding the secrecy of the vote. In 76 percent of observed precincts, no shortcomings were identified, while individual issues arose in some cases, such as incorrect ballot insertion, improper precinct arrangements, and unauthorized video recording. Regarding video recording, it is important to note that the opposition requested this measure at polling stations, making it difficult to regard this as a violation. The report also noted some shortcomings in the discussions about the need for such measures, and polarization was identified as a significant issue in both the political landscape and media.

Overall, it is clear from the OSCE/ODIHR report that the elections were free and competitive. This is evident from the overall content of the report. I would like to express my gratitude to OSCE/ODIHR once again,” concluded Irakli Kobakhidze.