Limited election observation mission

Parliamentary Elections, 31 October 2020

Press conference

Following an invitation from the authorities of Georgia and based on the findings and conclusions of the Needs Assessment Mission that took place from 3 to 8 August, and in accordance with its mandate, ODIHR deployed a Limited Election Observation Mission (LEOM) to the 31 October 2020 parliamentary elections.

Long-term Observation

The ODIHR LEOM, headed by Ambassador Jillian Stirk, consists of 13 international experts based in Tbilisi. In addition, 27 long-term observers will be deployed throughout the country from 1 October.

The mission will assess the elections for their compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards, as well as with national legislation. Observers will closely monitor all aspects of the election, including possible post-election developments. Specific aspects include the implementation of the amended legal framework, candidate registration, the campaign, election dispute resolution and election media coverage. They will also assess how prior ODIHR election related recommendations have being considered. As part of the observation, the ODIHR LEOM will conduct comprehensive monitoring of the media.

Cooperation

On election day itself, the ODIHR LEOM will join efforts with delegations from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to monitor the opening of polling stations, 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 observation mission.