Administrative Resources
During the reporting period various state agencies urged their employees to refrain from abusing state resources and issued corresponding instructions. This is indeed a positive development.
On August 19, 2013, the president’s administration reported that the president is planning a large-scale pardoning. Pre-election use of any such legal mechanism available to the president is indicative of an attempt to please voters and use state resources for pre-election purposes.
Suspicions about abuse of the state resources are founded on the fact that the large-scale pardoning announced by the president contradicts his own zero tolerance policy announced on February 14, 2006. Further, this is the first time such initiative will be realized during his presidency.
Intimidation/Threatening
Three acts of pressure against representatives of local self-government have been reported. These incidents occurred in Kaspi, Aspindza and Akhmeta municipalities, including threats made by Aspindza Gamgebeli against village trustees suggesting crime.
Vote Buying
The Prime Minister celebrated Shuamtoba with local population. During the celebration he gave a diamond ring to newlyweds, the Gundaladzes, as a gift, which ISFED believes is suggestive of vote buying. ISFED applied to the State Audit Office and the office of the prosecutor of Georgia, urging them to launch an immediate probe and take appropriate further actions.
Election Administration
During the reporting period the CEC chairperson Zurab Kharatishvili unexpectedly resigned, citing political reasons. He stated that he plans to get engaged in active political work. Following the resignation there has been an urgent need to appoint new chairperson. Election laws and the existing political circumstances have engendered the situation in which the NGO sector and two political forces participate in selection of the new CEC chairperson, which is commendable. CEC chairperson elected under these circumstances will enjoy a higher level of trust from all interested parties, which is greatly important for improving the election processes. NGOs have nominated their own candidate for the position. ISFED welcomes the president’s statements about his prior endorsement of the candidacy nominated by the non-governmental sector.
Inter-Agency Task-Force
During the reporting period first meeting of inter-agency task-force (IATF) was held under the leadership of the Minister of Justice. ISFED raised a number of problems during the meeting. The IATF has not yet elaborated any specific recommendations on how to address these problems.
Recommendations
To promote fair and equal election environment, ISFED urges:
• The authorities – to facilitate free work of media during the pre-election period, without any obstacles;
• Members of the CEC affiliated with the ruling coalition – to support objective and professional candidate if such candidate is nominated by the president;
• The CEC – promote, to the extent possible, constructive and cooperative relations between monitoring organizations and election administration;
• The IATF – to discuss and examine issues raised by ISFED during the meeting and adopt corresponding recommendations;
• State agencies and local self-government agencies – to inform their employees in a timely manner about rules prescribed by the Election Code that apply to participation in campaigning;
• Heads of local self-government agencies – to refrain from any kind of pressure against Sakrebulo members.
• The State Audit Office and the Prosecutor's Office of Georgia – to examine violations reported in ISFED’s pre-election monitoring reports, within the frames of their competence, and make corresponding assessments.