Georgian Central Election Commission, Public Defender issue joint statement on ensuring “fair, peaceful” elections

The Georgian Central Election Commission and the Public Defender on Wednesday issued a joint statement, calling on political parties, candidates, and electoral stakeholders to contribute to the formation of an “appropriate electoral environment that ensures fair, peaceful, and equitable elections” ahead of the local elections scheduled for October 4.

The statement noted that the use of hate speech, personal attacks against electoral stakeholders, and the incitement of discrimination, was directly undermining the electoral environment and damaging public trust.

“Taking into consideration that the pre-election period in previous years has been polarized, the Public Defender of Georgia and the Central Election Commission, as two independent constitutional institutions, jointly call upon political parties, candidates, and electoral stakeholders to contribute to the formation of an appropriate electoral environment that ensures fair, peaceful, and equitable elections”, the statement said.

“Electoral integrity and a sound electoral environment are fundamental to the functioning of a democratic society. However, when the electoral process is accompanied by the use of hate speech, personal attacks against electoral stakeholders, and the incitement of discrimination, this directly undermines the electoral environment and damages public trust”, it continued.

The joint statement recalled facts when electoral subjects incited discrimination against individuals based on various characteristics and employed hate speech, as well as representatives and members of election commissions had become the targets of such attacks and offensive statements between the participants.

“The Public Defender and the Central Election Commission emphatically underscore that such incidents are detrimental and impede the establishment of an equitable and peaceful electoral environment. Moreover, the unimpeded conduct of the electoral administration's official functions and the seamless management of electoral processes are ascribed one of the decisive roles in fostering high public trust towards these processes, which is, in itself, extremely essential for the democratic development of the country”, the statement noted.

“Taking into consideration the large-scale implementation of electronic technologies, as well as, more generally, the indispensable role of the electoral administration, and with the support of all parties, the election administration must be afforded the opportunity to perform the duties incumbent upon it flawlessly within an environment free from hate speech and conducive to peace”, it said.

The statement emphasised that it was imperative that the leaders and representatives of political parties, the respective candidates and their supporters, as well as public officials, demonstrated a high degree of political and civic responsibility and contributed to the conduct of a pluralistic electoral campaign, free from violence and hate speech.

“For the instigation of a political culture oriented towards democratic values, it is important that the electoral campaigns of candidates be directed towards substantive, policy-oriented discourse, which will contribute to the conduct of competition under fair and equitable conditions”, the statement said.

The document further highlighted the particular role of the media in terms of monitoring the free and fair conduct of the pre-election campaign and disseminating information.

“It will be important for media representatives, when covering the electoral campaigns, to demonstrate a high professional standard, to have an appropriate response to instances of the use of hate speech, and to react critically to such facts. In conclusion, the prevention of hate speech and the appropriate response to it are imperative for ensuring electoral integrity and for maintaining a sound electoral environment. This, in turn, is a guarantee for the conduct of just and constructive political discourse, and for the protection of human rights”, it concluded.