Georgian Parliament Speaker: over 2 500 observers to monitor tomorrow’s local self-government elections

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Friday announced that over 2 500 observers and media representatives from 28 international and 27 local organisations, along with 73 media outlets, would monitor and cover tomorrow’s local self-government elections.

In his remarks over the upcoming elections, Papuashvili noted that the large number of accredited observers were ensuring transparency and public trust in the electoral process.

“Tomorrow, local self-government elections will take place. Georgian citizens will elect mayors of 64 municipalities and over 2 000 council members. For tomorrow’s elections, 28 international observer organisations, 27 local observer organisations, and 73 media outlets have been accredited for observation and coverage. In total, over 2 500 observers and media representatives will have the opportunity to monitor and report on tomorrow’s elections”, Papuashvili said.

The Speaker further noted that the competition included a significant number of candidates, particularly in Tbilisi, where nine individuals were vying for the mayoral position.

“Twelve parties are participating in the elections. The number of candidates is also significant. As you know, there are nine candidates for mayor in the capital”, he noted.

He also remarked that the pre-election period was generally calm and all political actors had the opportunity to conduct their campaigns.

“The pre-election period has passed before our eyes and was largely calm. Everyone had the opportunity to conduct their election campaigns. Traditionally, the opposition did not take advantage of the opportunity to engage in active communication with citizens”, Papuashvili concluded.