Election observation mission

Local Elections, 21 October and 12 November 2017

Following an invitation from the authorities of Georgia to observe the upcoming local elections and in accordance with its mandate, the OSCE/ODIHR has deployed an Election Observation Mission (EOM) for these elections.

Long-term observation

The OSCE/ODIHR EOM, headed by Corien Jonker, consists of 14 international experts based in Tbilisi. In addition, 22 long-term observers will be deployed throughout the country from 20 September.

The OSCE/ODIHR EOM will assess the local elections for their compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation. Observers will closely monitor candidate registration, campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant governmental bodies, election-related legislation and its implementation, the media environment, and the resolution of election-related disputes. As part of the observation, the mission will also monitor the media coverage of the campaign.

Short-term Observers

The OSCE/ODIHR has requested participating States to second 350 short-term observers (STOs) to observe voting, counting and the tabulation of results.

For the second round of elections, the OSCE/ODIHR has requested participating States to second 100 STOs to observe voting, counting and the tabulation of results. Please consult the information sheet. STOs need to register on the STO database.

Election day

The short-term observers will be deployed throughout the country in multinational teams of two to monitor the opening of polling stations, the voting, the counting of ballots, and the tabulation of results.

The day after the elections, ODIHR, together with its partners, will issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions at a press conference. A final report on the observation of the entire electoral process will be issued approximately eight weeks after the end of the electoral process.

Co-operation with Other Partners

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (CLARE) deployed an observer delegation for the first round of the elections.

Previous elections

The OSCE/ODIHR has observed 14 elections in Georgia, most recently the 2016 parliamentary elections.

International Election Observation Mission press conference, 22 October 2017, Tbilisi