Georgia is gearing up for parliamentary elections
Georgia is gearing up for parliamentary elections on 8 October 2016, set to mark another milestone in the consolidation of Georgia’s democracy. Since the first peaceful transfer of power in the country’s history in 2012 and following comprehensive democratic reforms, Georgia has held two nation-wide elections, presidential (2013) and municipal (2014), judged free and fair by international observers.
The pre-electoral environment is “very calm and peaceful” according to Tamar Zhvania, Chairperson of the Central Elections Commission of Georgia.
The elections are expected to be highly contested, competitive and pluralistic. They are also garnering much debate thanks to media freedom and pluralism. According to MediaMonitor.ge, co-sponsored by the EU and the UNDP, the pre-electoral media environment is balanced and ethically sound.
The vote will be transparent, thanks to the presence of a wide variety of NGOs and international short and long-term observers. In addition, for the first time in the 25-year history of independent Georgia, the CEC will broadcast live footage of the October 8 Election votes being counted at the headquarters in Tbilisi. “The aim of the idea is for the public to see the transparency of the vote counting process,” Tamar Zhvania told media.
All major political parties support Georgia’s continued European and Euro-Atlantic integration path.
They will bring in a new Parliament with strengthened powers as compared to 2012, thanks to constitutional reforms making government more accountable to the legislature.
In addition, Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Central Elections Commission (CEC) penned a Memorandum of Understanding outlining joint cooperation to encourage democracy and transparency for the upcoming Elections. CEC chairwoman Tamar Zhvania said the MoU marked the start of a “new stage” in the relationship between the CEC and the Ministry of Internal Affairs: “Our common aim is to ensure highest standard of election environment where our citizens will vote freely. We very well understand the importance of political neutrality in the process and today’s deal is one of the signs of this.”
The Head of Government, Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili urged his supporters to avoid confrontation, and instructed the Minister of Interior to employ all necessary resources to avoid any provocation:
“It stems from the negative experience in Georgia prior to 2012. Today, voters in the country see things differently. That is why I once again urge our supporters and local authorities to do their best to provide equal opportunities for every candidate, ensuring that there are no preferences and creating a level playing field for everyone in the run-up to the election. Because our attitude is completely different, we are convinced that we can create an essentially different electoral environment.”
According to him, over the past four years the country’s policies have changed considerably, and so have voters’ attitudes toward politics and the pre-election process: “Today our voters and citizens appreciate totally different qualities. Hence, any potential violence in the pre-election process will only negatively affect the image of the government.”
For the purpose of ensuring proper media coverage of the pre-election and election processes, international media center will be created in Georgia. “It is vitally important to enable media during the pre-election and election period to work in a comfortable environment, properly cover respective events. We would like to create proper working environment for reporters and representative of international media in Georgia,” — Prime Minister noted. According to him, holding of transparent and European standards is the Government’s main goal.
Factsheet: Georgia’s 2016 Parliamentary Elections: What to Expect?
Statement: The Government of Georgia will exercise every legal right to ensure against radicalization