The current electoral norms, which designate organizations as subjects with electoral interests, were established by the Parliament based on initiatives from Transparency International, GYLA, and other non-governmental organizations, stated Shalva Papuashvili, Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia.

Papuashvili emphasized that these standards arose from NGO initiatives.

“Yesterday, I learned from Transparency International and another organization that they are engaged in pre-trial agitation using financial resources, which appears to be conducted openly. The Anti-Corruption Bureau seems to possess evidence of this. The Bureau’s head also noted that the norms defining entities with electoral interests were previously adopted by Parliament at the initiative of Transparency International, GYLA, and other NGOs. Consequently, they should adhere to these standards. Anyone can run a pre-election campaign; however, if it involves agitation, they must disclose their financial activities, which is standard practice in any democracy,” Papuashvili remarked.

Transparency International Georgia, Choose Europe, and their leaders have now been classified as entities with electoral purposes, making them subject to the legal restrictions that apply.