NDI Pre-Election Report: Polarization and Attacks on the Civil Sector

The pre-election report states, „Similar to previous elections, there is a widespread perception that the government might exploit administrative resources to gain an electoral advantage. In 2022, civil society organizations submitted materials to the Prosecutor's Office of Georgia, alleging election fraud, based on documents provided by the former deputy head of the State Security Service. The government's lack of transparent communication regarding these allegations has raised questions among the population, political parties, and other involved parties about whether administrative resources are being used for electoral political purposes.“

NDI recommends that the Prosecutor's Office of Georgia ensure a prompt response to complaints of voter bribery and intimidation during the pre-election period. Additionally, the government should transparently communicate to all public officials and the public that it will not tolerate the use of administrative resources for electoral purposes and that offenders will be held accountable.

The monitoring delegation also acknowledges the changes made to the election code by the Georgian Dream party.

However, the report notes that the latest amendments, including those adopted in the third reading on February 20, 2024, while the delegation was in Georgia, do not comply with the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission. These amendments may further reduce trust in the CEC.

The report reads, “With the amendments made to the Election Code, the authority to nominate members of the CEC was transferred from the President to the Chairman of the Parliament, and the number of votes required for election was also changed several times. Changes in recent years have reduced the required quorum from two-thirds of the full membership of Parliament to a simple majority. As of February 2024, the support of three-fifths of the full membership of Parliament is required to elect the Speaker and professional members for a 5-year term. Most notably, the position of the deputy chairman of the CEC, previously held by a member of the CEC appointed from opposition parties, was abolished. All this, together with the high threshold set for parliamentary elections, reduces the possibilities of reaching a political consensus in the decision-making process and increases public confidence in the CEC's impartiality”

The NDI monitoring delegation notes that due to policies focusing on specific individuals and increasing polarization, political decision-makers are paying less attention to issues concerning the population of Georgia. Additionally, the programs of political parties do not address important issues for the population.

Observers highlight efforts to suppress critical voices and discredit civil society organizations and leaders. However, the delegation welcomes the “reasonable decision of political actors” regarding the draft law on foreign agents.

The report emphasizes, “Ensuring a democratic election environment is only possible under the conditions of smooth activity of local civil organizations. Civilian monitoring groups should be able to operate in an environment free from personal or public threats. Politicians' public criticism of monitoring organizations recognized by the United Nations as human rights defenders calls into question the government's stated goal of creating an open election environment.”

Ethnic minorities, including the ethnic Armenian and ethnic Azerbaijani communities, remain marginalized in the political processes. NDI notes that the language barrier is a significant challenge for the full involvement and participation of ethnic minorities in the pre-election period. The monitoring mission states that due to the lack of available multilingual news outlets, ethnic minorities turn to Russian, Armenian, and/or Azerbaijani media for news, which leads to a lack of information and increases their vulnerability to misinformation.

Regarding the information environment, the NDI delegation states that the media in Georgia is pluralistic but politically very biased, leading to unbalanced coverage of important issues. “It is essential that candidates, both from the ruling political team and from the opposition parties, participate in programs of various broadcasters so that voters have the opportunity to listen to meaningful debates and get to know the candidates' positions on various issues,” the report reads.

According to NDI's assessment, since young people do not see an acceptable alternative for them in the existing political spectrum, their participation in the elections may decrease. Unwavering support for democracy, human rights, and the rule of law by the population is noted as positive trends, along with a positive attitude of society towards the police, a reduced level of petty corruption in the perception of the population, updating the practice of publicizing government decrees to increase transparency, and innovating to improve election day processes.

The observation delegation notes that there is enough time before the parliamentary elections to create a free electoral environment and to consider the 2024 elections as a step forward on the road to Georgia's democracy. The international observation delegation of the National Democratic Institute visited Georgia from February 19 to 25. The members of the delegation met with representatives of the government, political parties, civil sector, media, and diplomatic corps. NDI will send a long-term mission to Georgia to observe the parliamentary elections.