According to First Vice-Speaker of the Georgian Parliament Gia Volski, one month is enough for the OSCE/ODIHR mission to arrive in Georgia and observe the upcoming elections.

Volski believes that the outcome of the mission’s observation of the local government elections would be positive, a prospect that does not sit well with certain forces.

“The deployment of the observer mission to Georgia has resulted in unfavourable consequences for those intent on destabilising and undermining this country, precisely because the mission drew a positive conclusion. If the mission were to arrive now and commence its work, the findings would show that the election process is being conducted at a well-organised level, with citizens free to express their opinions. However, other forces are seeking to disrupt this process, with extremist groups rioting in the streets. The full picture would be unpalatable to some. Let us also recall the unprecedented moral and psychological attack launched against the OSCE/ODIHR,” stated Gia Volski.

The OSCE/ODIHR said they will not have the opportunity to deploy a mission for the October 4 elections, although they will continue to monitor developments within the scope of their mandate. Their statement explained that “the invitation from the Georgian authorities to observe the local elections on October 4, less than a month before the vote, leaves insufficient time for credible and meaningful observation.”