Election observation mission

Presidential Election, 28 October and 28 November 2018

Following an invitation from the authorities of Georgia to observe the upcoming presidential election, and in accordance with its mandate, ODIHR has deployed an Election Observation Mission (EOM) for this election.

Long-term observation

The ODIHR EOM, headed by Ambassador Geert-Hinrich Ahrens, consists of 14 international experts based in Tbilisi. In addition, 28 long-term observers will be deployed throughout the country from 26 September.

The ODIHR EOM will assess the presidential election for its 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.

Election day

ODIHR will request 350 short-term observers to be deployed immediately prior to the 28 October election. 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 parliamentary 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 Partners

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the European Parliament (EP) and NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) are planning to deploy observer delegations for this election.

Previous elections

ODIHR has observed 14 elections in Georgia, most recently the 2017 local elections.

International election observation mission press conference, Tbilisi, 29 November 2018