INTERNATIONAL ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION
PRELIMINARY CONCLUSIONS
The 30 May municipal elections marked evident progress towards meeting OSCE and Council of Europe commitments. However, significant remaining shortcomings include deficiencies in the legal framework, its implementation, an uneven playing field, and isolated cases of election-day fraud. The authorities and the election administration made clear efforts to pro-actively address problems. Nevertheless, the low level of public confidence persisted.
Further efforts in resolutely tackling recurring misconduct are required in order to consolidate the progress and enhance public trust before the next national elections. While the elections were overall well administered, systemic irregularities on election day were noted, as in past elections, in particular in Kakheti, Samtskhe-Javakheti and Shida Kartli.
The election administration managed these elections in a professional, transparent and inclusive manner. The new Central Election Commission (CEC) chairperson tried to reach consensus among CEC members, including those nominated by political parties, on all issues. For the first time, Precinct Election Commission (PEC) secretaries were elected by opposition-appointed PEC members, which was welcomed by opposition parties and increased inclusiveness. The transparency of the electoral process was enhanced by a large number of domestic observers.
Considerable efforts were made to improve the quality of voters' lists. In the run-up to these elections, parties received state funding to audit the lists. Voters were given sufficient time and information to check their entries. As part of the recent UEC amendments, some restrictions were placed on the rights of certain categories of citizens to vote in municipal elections, in order to address opposition parties' concerns of possible electoral malpractices.
The Unified Election Code (UEC) was substantially amended in December 2009, addressing some previous recommendations made by the OSCE/ODIHR, Venice Commission of the Council of Europe and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. The code as amended is generally adequate for the conduct of democratic elections; however, a number of significant shortcomings remain. These include limitations on voting and candidacy rights, and an election system which does not guarantee the equality of the vote. Provisions which allow unlimited campaigning by certain public officials and the use of administrative resources for campaign purposes do not guarantee a level playing field for all contestants.
The CEC registered 26 political parties for these elections in an inclusive process. The large field of candidates provided voters with a genuine choice. However, the number of competitors was limited in some single-mandate constituencies, and 4.5 per cent of majoritarian candidates withdrew after they had been registered.