Voting Process and Voter Turnout by 15:00

The International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) is monitoring the second round of the 2017 local self-government elections in six electoral districts across Georgia. ISFED Observation Mission consists of 317 short-term observers (STOs) deployed at precinct electoral commissions and six observers at district electoral commissions (DECs) as well as six mobile groups. Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) Data Analysis and Incident Centers are operating in the central office staffed with eight data clerks and six lawyers.

For the second round of the local elections ISFED has deployed PVT observers to all polling stations in Kutaisi, Martvili, Ozurgeti, Khashuri, Borjomi and Kazbegi.

Similarly to the first round of elections, ISFED’s observation of the second round of local self-government elections is based on the Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) methodology, which enables us to timely detect violations, systematically evaluate the entire Election Day process and verify the accuracy of the official election results.

In this statement, ISFED presents information about the noon voter turnout and violations observed.

Key Findings

According to ISFED observers, by 15:00 the voting process is conducted in a mainly calm and organized manner, without significant violations. The highest voter turnout by 12:00 was observed in Ozurgeti at 21.6%.

As of now, ISFED has filed 11 complaints at the precinct election commissions, 10 complaints at DECs and 2 entries were made in the record books.

Voter Turnout by 12:00 (PVT Results)

Voter turnout in 6 electoral districts by 12:00 is 11.5%, which is lower than in the first round of elections when voter turnout was 16.3%.

ISFED has found the following voter turnout in electoral districts as of 12:00:

Ozurgeti - 21.6%

Borjomi - 18.1%

Kazbegi - 17.3 %

Khashuri - 11.6 %

Martvili - 11.5%

Kutaisi - 6.1%

Since turnout is announced at specified times of the day, ISFED calculates the average time it takes for a polling station to process a voter. Based on the information processed, from 8:00am to 12:00pm in 92.1% of polling stations, the commission handled, on average, one voter per minute, while in 7.9% of polling stations the commission processed 1 to 2 voters per minute. Interestingly, 32.3% of polling stations in the municipality of Ozurgeti handled 1 to 2 voters per minute on average.

Violations

As of now, ISFED observers have reported following violations:

Inadequate handling of electoral documentation:

• At the polling station #15 of the election district #36 (Borjomi) the registrar allowed two voters to vote without signing on the voters list;

• At the polling station #57 of the election district #60 (Ozurgeti) the registrar allowed a voter to vote without signing on the voters list;

• At the polling station #42 of the election district #60 (Ozurgeti) the registration address of the voter was not indicated in the control sheet.

Incorrect handling of inking procedure:

• At the polling station #10 of the election district #60 (Ozurgeti) two registrars incorrectly inked three voters on their left hand instead of the right one despite the fact that necessity of such alternation due to a physical impairment did not exist.

Voting with improper documentation:

• At the polling station #21 of the election district #36 (Borjomi) an individual was allowed to vote with an expired ID card.

Improper placement of the ballot paper in the ballot box:

• At the polling station #1 of the election district #35 (Khashuri) a voter placed ballot paper in the ballot box without putting it in an envelope.

Placement of envelopes in the mobile box:

• At the polling station #25 of the electoral district #36 (Borjomi) three envelopes improperly ended up in the mobile box. The commission members supervising the mobile box stated that they accidentally dropped those envelopes in the mobile box.

ISFED calls upon all eligible voters in six electoral districts of Georgia where runoffs are taking place to go to the polls and express their free will by voting in favor of a candidate of their choice. ISFED reminds voters that in order to vote they should have with them: Georgian citizen ID card or a Passport.

ISFED will release its next statement at 19:00

ISFED Observation Mission is made possible with the generous support from the American people, by financial assistance from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The mission is supported by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). Contribution for observation of the runoff elections also comes from the Embassy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The contents of this statement are the sole responsibility of the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy and may not be reflecting the position of USAID, the United States Government, the Federal Republic of Germany, British Embassy, or NED.

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12.11.2017