“We will see what assessments various NGOs and observation missions provide, and based on that, we’ll determine how to evaluate CEC’s work,” stated Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili in response to a question from GPB’s First Channel journalist.

The journalist asked: “In a recent interview, the U.S. Ambassador stated that ‘the CEC’s work made a great impression, and we support their efforts.’ We can also refer to the latest conclusions from the OSCE/ODIHR regarding the CEC. What will your position be on the CEC’s data, which will be published on the evening of October 26, regardless of its content, including, for instance, in the event of a ruling team’s victory?”

Salome Zourabichvili responded: “I have one serious criticism regarding the CEC’s work, and it pertains to our citizens abroad. Everything was done to prevent them from fully participating in the elections. Out of one million eligible voters, only 100,000 managed to register, and even that was achieved with significant difficulties. No new polling stations were opened, despite meeting all the conditions stipulated by law, and the CEC didn’t even consider this. Therefore, while your assessment of the CEC is understandable, it is not complete. We will see what conclusions the CEC reaches. How can I predict in advance what assessment I will provide? Let’s wait to see how the elections are conducted and what evaluations come from various NGOs and observation missions present in the country. Based on this, we can determine how the CEC’s work should be evaluated.”