Elections

Election environment

Georgia’s ruling party achieves 47% in local elections, higher than EU mediated agreement’s trigger level for snap poll

By | October 3rd, 2021|Categories: Elections|Tags: , , |

Georgians went to the polls Saturday to elect municipal councils and mayors. TBILISI, DFWatch--Georgia's local elections have so far earned mixed results, with both the ruling party and the opposition celebrating victory and highlighting their own success. Although the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) won a landslide victory in the proportional list and received 47% of the [...]

Georgia’s ruling party asks for stronger EU condemnation of UNM ‘provocation’

By | September 25th, 2021|Categories: Elections|Tags: , , |

Altercation between Nika Melia (left) and Irakli Kobakhidze at the EU office in Tbilisi. (Ambebi.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch--Georgia’s ruling party, GD, criticizes EU Ambassador Carl Hartzell for being too timid in his criticism of the leader of the opposition party UNM Nika Melia after a verbal confrontation outside the EU office in Tbilisi on Thursday. Melia approached [...]

Leader of Georgia’s main opposition party stripped of his seat in parliament

By | September 20th, 2021|Categories: Elections|Tags: , , , , |

Nika Melia. (1tv.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch--The largest opposition party’s candidate for Tbilisi mayor has lost his seat in the Georgian parliament. Nika Melia, leader of the largest opposition party United National Movement (UNM), asked for the revocation himself in July, after the ruling party abandoned the EU mediated compromise agreement negotiated by European Council President Charles Michel. [...]

GD chairman rules out early parliamentary elections

By | August 31st, 2021|Categories: Elections|Tags: , , |

Irakli Kobakhidze, chairman of Georgia's ruling party, Georgian Dream. TBILISI, DFWatch--Georgia’s ruling party has dashed the opposition's hopes of holding early elections for parliament in 2022 as a spokesman ruled it out entirely regardless of how few votes Georgian Dream will be able to get in the local elections this October. "Even if Georgian Dream gets [...]

Georgia’s Public Defender calls for postponing the local elections due to Covid-19

By | August 25th, 2021|Categories: Elections|Tags: , , |

Nino Lomjaria, Public Defender of Georgia. TBILISI, DFWatch--Georgia’s Public Defender calls for postponing the local elections amid skyrocketing numbers of new Covid-19 cases and deaths. Nino Lomjaria’s call is backed by the opposition, but the government categorically rules out postponing the poll, which is scheduled for October. "We have more than 60-70 dead per day. What [...]

GD heading for clean sweep in Georgia by-elections, but opposition claims massive fraud

By | May 20th, 2019|Categories: Elections|Tags: , , |

Sandra Roelofs addressing the post-election rally in Zugdidi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch--The ruling Georgian Dream party is leading in all of Sunday’s by-elections, including the symbolically important Zugdidi mayoral race. But the vote was marred by numerous controversies, as the opposition claims the elections have been massively rigged. Sandra Roelofs, the wife of Georgia’s ex-President [...]

Opposition and government mobilize ahead of symbolic mayoral election in western Georgia

By | May 17th, 2019|Categories: Elections|Tags: , , , , |

UNM's spokesperson Khatia Dekanoidze (center). (1tv.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch--Tensions are running high in Georgia ahead of the May 19 by-election in Zugdidi, a town about 350km west of Tbilisi, with almost daily scuffles outside the office of the Local Election Commission. Both the governing party and the opposition accuse each other of attempting to rig [...]

Georgian opposition rejects election result, plans massive rallies

By | November 29th, 2018|Categories: Elections|Tags: , |

TBILISI, DFWatch--After suffering a crushing defeat in the runoff election for president, the leaders of the UNM-led United Opposition have decided to reject the results and  launch protest rallies similar to those in 2003, which culminated in the Rose Revolution. Grigol Vashadze, the UO candidate for president, and Mikheil Saakashvili, Georgia's exiled ex-president, have called upon [...]

Exit polls show Salome Zurabishvili clear winner in Georgia’s presidential election

By | November 29th, 2018|Categories: Elections|Tags: , , |

Two exit polls published Wednesday night predicted that Salome Zurabishvili won by at least ten percent. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch--The results of both the 'pro-government' and the 'pro-opposition' exit polls suggest that Salome Zurabishvili, who is backed by the ruling party, has decisively won Georgia's last direct presidential elections. However, the opposition is not eager [...]

Ambassadors of US, UK, NL spending election day in Marneuli, hotbed of manipulation and violence

By | November 28th, 2018|Categories: Elections|Tags: , |

From left to right, ambassadors Jos Douma (Netherlands), Justin McKenzie Smith (UK) and Ross Wilson (US), addressing journalists in Marneuli. (Twitter.) TBILISI, DFWatch--American, British and Dutch ambassadors are visiting southern Georgia today to observe the runoff presidential election in the region which has a long history of manipulation and violence during elections. Ross Wilson, [...]

Polls show a close race in Georgia’s run-off election for president

By | November 27th, 2018|Categories: Elections|Tags: , , |

Salome Zurabishvili at a rugby match between Georgian and Tonga in Tbilisi. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch--Georgia’s runoff election for president on Wednesday gained an unexpected drama after the opposition candidate’s strong showing in the first round. One day ahead of the vote, polls indicate a close race. Although the constitution adopted by Georgian parliament in [...]

Death threats against Salome Zurabishvili came from Georgian volunteer fighter in Ukraine war, lawyer claims

By | November 14th, 2018|Categories: Elections|Tags: , , |

Salome Zurabishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch--One of the persons reportedly sending presidential candidate Salome Zurabishvili and her family members death threats has been identified and the Ministry of Internal Affairs launched a criminal investigation into the case. "The person who threatened Salome Zurabisvhili and her family members is a member of a military unit which [...]

Candidate for president Salome Zurabishvili received death threats from ‘ex-military servicemen linked to UNM’

By | November 12th, 2018|Categories: Elections|Tags: , |

Salome Zurabishvili called on police to respond to several death threats against herself and her son and daughter. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch--Salome Zurabishvili, the presidential candidate supported by Georgia Dream, calls on the police to respond after reportedly receiving deaths threats from ex-soldiers with links to the opposition National Movement. The threats were also directed [...]

Georgian opposition candidate for president vows to call snap election if he wins

By | November 5th, 2018|Categories: Elections|Tags: |

Grigol Vashadze at a meeting with supporters in Tskaltubo. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch--The opposition candidate in Georgia’s run-off election for president pledges to eliminate the 'political police' if he wins. Grigol Vashadze from the National Movement also promised to release everyone from prison who is serving time for use or possession of soft drugs and [...]

Exit polls differ wildly after Georgia’s presidential election, opposition preparing protest to ‘defend votes’

By | October 28th, 2018|Categories: Elections|Tags: |

(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch--Exit poll after Georgia's presidential election on Sunday show dramatically different results and all sides are bracing for a long and fierce standoff to ‘defend votes'. The situation is tense in Tbilisi and the opposition is even talking about launching a wave of protest rallies if the government 'rigs the results'. Three [...]

Georgians go to the polls to elect a president for the last time

By | October 27th, 2018|Categories: Elections|Tags: , , , |

TBILISI, DFWatch--On Sunday, Georgians go to the polls for the last time to elect a president. Even though the role of the president in recent years is largely ceremonial, the contest has turned into a fierce political showdown. Although the powers of the president have been gradually reduced since the split between Bidzina Ivanishvili, the leader [...]

‘Traitor!’ ‘Fascist!’ Accusations fly in Georgian election campaign

By | October 9th, 2018|Categories: Elections|Tags: , , |

Speaker of Parliament Irakli Kobakhidze. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch--Nika Gvaramia, head of the opposition TV channel Rustavi 2, calls the ruling party-backed presidential contender a ‘traitor’. GD party secretary Irakli Kobakhidze responds by calling Gvaramia a ‘fascist’. Kobakhidze, who is the speaker of Georgia's parliament, slammed the Rustavi 2 director Monday morning at a press [...]

Georgia’s local elections slated for end of October

By | June 27th, 2017|Categories: Elections|Tags: , |

President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgians will go to the polls to elect new mayors and local governments in the end of October, President Giorgi Margvelashvili announced on Tuesday. The local elections will be held in the ‘end the third week of October’, the president said, […]

Third suspect arrested for disrupting election in Jikhashkari

By | November 5th, 2016|Categories: Elections|Tags: , |

(Luka Pertaia/Netgazeti. TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia on Thursday arrested a third person for creating a disturbance at an election precinct near Zugdidi during the parliamentary election on October 8. Deputy Interior Minister Shalva Khutsishvili told journalists on Friday […]

Georgia’s ruling party secures enough seats to amend Constitution

By | October 31st, 2016|Categories: Elections|Tags: |

(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The ruling party Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia won a constitutional majority in the second round of the parliamentary elections, winning all but one majoritarian district, mostly by a significant majority. In Mtatsmimda district, GD had decided […]

Many irregularities in second round of Georgia’s election for parliament

By | October 30th, 2016|Categories: Elections|Tags: |

There were reports many places of people trying to vote with their fingers already marked. (Netgazeti.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In parts of Georgia, voters went to the polls again on Sunday in the second round of the parliamentary election. There were runoff contests in 50 single-seat districts, accounting for a third of the seats in the assembly. Voting took place against a background […]

UNM claims governor of Samtskhe-Javakheti attacked its cameraman

By | October 28th, 2016|Categories: Elections|Tags: , , , |

Nikoloz Khazidze (left) and UNM majoritarian candidate Vazha Chitashvili. (Samkhretis Karibche.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Movement has accused the governor of the southern Samtskhe-Javakheti region of physically assaulting one of its photographers on Thursday evening. Nikoloz Khizadze claims he was heading to the village Muskhi to document […]

UNM and GD won one contest each in repeat election

By | October 24th, 2016|Categories: Elections|Tags: , , , , |

TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Movement yesterday won the repeat election in a precinct in the south of Georgia, while Georgian Dream won in the western Zugdidi area. But the UNM candidate didn’t win by more than 50% at the 48th precinct in Marneuli, […]

Saakashvili’s wife withdraws from Georgian runoff election, citing fraud

By | October 23rd, 2016|Categories: Elections|Tags: , , |

TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s former first lady Sandra Roelofs is withdrawing from the runoff election for parliament in Zugdidi, after the repeat ballot in three of Zugdidi’s precincts reveals that her opponent from the Georgian Dream is leading by a significant margin. […]

Four precincts in Georgia vote again due to irregularities on Election Day

By | October 22nd, 2016|Categories: Elections|Tags: |

People are asked to vote again today at four precincts where results were cancelled because of physical attacks on October 8. (DFWatch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Repeat elections are held today at four precincts in south and west of Georgia where results were cancelled October 8 due to irregularities. The results of one precinct in Marneuli and three in Zugdidi were cancelled due to attacks on Election Day. The main […]

Tbilisi NGO workers urge opposition for action against imminent GD constitutional majority

By | October 18th, 2016|Categories: Elections|Tags: , , |

Irakli Kobakhidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch--Individual members of some of the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the Georgian capital Tbilisi are now calling on opposition political parties to call on their voters to support opposition candidates in the second round of the parliamentary election, fearing that the ruling Georgian Dream might secure enough seats in the new parliament to [...]

Georgia to hold second round of parliamentary election Oct 30

By | October 17th, 2016|Categories: Elections|Tags: , |

(DFWatch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The date for the second round of Georgia’s parliamentary election has been set to October 30. 50 election districts will vote for single seat candidates for parliament, the Central Election Commission (CEC) announced. Candidates for the ruling GD […]

Six alleged election day troublemakers placed in pre-trial detention

By | October 15th, 2016|Categories: Elections|Tags: , |

TBILISI, DFWatch–Six people who were arrested for participating in the attack  on an election precinct October 8 were placed in pre-trial detention by Rustavi City Court on Friday. A crowd threw stones at and smashed windows at the 48th election precinct ithe a village Kizilajo. […]

Six arrested for the mass unrest in Marneuli on election day

By | October 13th, 2016|Categories: Elections|Tags: , |

(Imedi.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia arrested six people on Thursday who are accused of attacking an election precinct in Marneuli in the south of Georgia on election day October 8. The six are arrested for interrupting the work of the local election commission […]

Police in Georgia arrest a person for causing havoc in election precinct

By | October 12th, 2016|Categories: Elections|Tags: , |

(Luka Pertaia/Netgazeti.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police arrested one person regarding an attack on an election precinct during the election Saturday in Zugdidi, in northwest Georgia. The target of the attack was the 79th precinct, in the village Jikhashkari. Kako Tibua said through his lawyer that he was unlawfully arrested and has started a hunger […]

Free Democrats leader leaves politics after failing to get into parliament

By | October 10th, 2016|Categories: Elections|Tags: , , |

TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Georgian defense minister Irakli Alasania said Monday that he is quitting politics ‘temporarily’ after his party failed to surpass the 5% threshold in the parliamentary elections. Alasania’s statement came after the Central Election Commission (CEC) […]

51 election districts will hold second round of parliamentary election

By | October 10th, 2016|Categories: Elections|Tags: , , |

(DFWatch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–51 election districts in Georgia will likely hold a second round of parliamentary election; 18 of them will be in the capital Tbilisi. After 99.92% of votes have been counted, the governing Georgian Dream party has 48.6% in the proportionate system. […]

Third party Patriot Alliance is 244 votes from getting into parliament

By | October 9th, 2016|Categories: Elections|Tags: , , |

Davit Tarkhan-Mouravi of the Patriot Alliance. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Alliance of Patriots is out of parliament, after it seemed for a few hours it had succeeded in surpassing the minimum threshold. At 3pm, the Alliance was at exactly 5 percent, and seemed qualified to get representatives into the new national assembly as the third party, […]

National Movement rallies outside CEC, will challenge election result

By | October 9th, 2016|Categories: Elections|Tags: |

Giga Bokeria addressing the crowd of UNM supporters outside the CEC building last night. (DFWatch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former first lady Sandra Roelofs, who is running for parliament representing her husband’s party in western Georgia, has disputed the preliminary results which show that she did not win an outright victory. After 82 percent of votes had been […]

Preliminary results: Patriot Alliance gets into parliament with 17 votes margin

By | October 9th, 2016|Categories: Elections|Tags: , |

Irma Inashvili, one of the leaders of Patriot Alliance. TBILISI, DFWatch–Three parties are predicted to surpass the 5% percent threshold and make it into parliament, after 82.55% percent of votes have been counted, the Central Election Commission (CEC) said. As the results currently stand, Georgian Dream looks to get 49.26 percent, […]

Georgia deploys special police to voting precinct to put down unrest

By | October 8th, 2016|Categories: Elections|Tags: , |

Special police entered the voting precinct in Marneuli where the conflict took place. TBILISI, DFWatch–A crowd armed with batons and stones attacked a precinct in Marneuli, a town in south Georgia, allegedly stealing a box of ballot papers. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) said police were dispatched to Marneuli’s 48th precinct […]

Voter turnout 20% by noon in uncertain Georgian election

By | October 8th, 2016|Categories: Elections|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch–All election precincts in Georgia opened at 08:00 in the morning, according to Central Election Commission (CEC), and the election is proceeding peacefully. Voter turnout was 19.81 % by 12:00, according to the CEC. Most government officials […]

Georgians vote in uncertain parliamentary election

By | October 8th, 2016|Categories: Elections|Tags: |

(DFWatch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgians go to the polls on Saturday to elect 150 new members of parliament, with no party or bloc likely to win an outright victory. 73 of the new MPs will be majoritarians, while the rest will come from the party lists through a proportional […]

Two UNM activists charged with violence against GD members

By | October 7th, 2016|Categories: Elections|Tags: , |

Papuna Kukava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two National Movement activists have been charged with violence and threats against members of the governing Georgian Dream party at a campaign event in western Georgia a few days ago. The incident happened on October 1 […]

Saakashvili’s party rallies ahead of election

By | October 6th, 2016|Categories: Elections|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch–Three days before Georgians go to the polls, the National Movement on Wednesday rallied their supporters in Tbilisi. Former President Mikheil Saakashvili addressed people from Odessa, Ukraine on a big screen via Skype. He criticized […]

Government reshuffle to boost GD’s election campaign

By | September 10th, 2016|Categories: Elections|Tags: |

Kakhi Kaladze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili on Friday announced a cabinet reshuffle which lets two GD politicians dedicate their time to campaigning as less than a month remains before a parliamentary election where no party or bloc […]

3.5 million have registered to vote in Georgia’s election

By | September 9th, 2016|Categories: Elections|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch–More than 3.5 million voters had registered in Georgia by August 12; eight weeks before the election for parliament. Ana Mikeladze, Speaker for the Central Election Commission, said Wednesday that from June 10 until today, more than […]

GD candidate claims UNM planning election provocations

By | September 6th, 2016|Categories: Elections|Tags: , |

Tamar Chugoshvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A former human rights advocate who is running for parliament claims the former ruling party, the National Movement (UNM), is planning to provoke conflicts in the election campaign. Tamar Chugoshvili, a candidate for parliament for Georgian Dream […]

Two members of opera singer’s opposition party detained

By | July 26th, 2016|Categories: Elections|Tags: |

Paata Burchuladze during Independence Day celebrations, May 26. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Sunday night, police in Georgia detained two members of a newly formed opposition party led by the opera singer Paata Burchuladze. The two members of State for People were detained outside the party office in Temka, a northern district […]

Free Democrats name their candidates for majoritarian MPs

By | July 17th, 2016|Categories: Elections|Tags: |

Free Democrats leader Irakli Alasania. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Free Democrats, a party which withdrew from the ruling Georgian Dream coalition in 2014, on Saturday named its candidates for majoritarian MPs in the October 8 parliamentary election. The nominees were selected on Saturday […]

Georgian Dream wins with 70% of votes in Gardabani by-election

By | February 1st, 2016|Categories: Elections|Tags: , , |

Gocha Jamarauli received 70% of votes in the Gardabani by-election, according to CEC. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The ruling Georgian Dream coalition won the by-local election in Gardabani on Thursday. The election was necessary to find a replacement for Garsevan Nioradze, the recently deceased gamgebeli or head of municipality of Gardabani, […]

Government coalition won in Georgia’s local and by-elections

By | November 1st, 2015|Categories: Elections|Tags: |

Tamar Khidasheli seems to have won a narrow victory in Sagarejo. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Dream coalition looks likely to gain one seat in parliament after the by-elections yesterday. The coalition’s candidates were leading in both Sagarejo and Martvili, according to preliminary results (http://results.cec.gov.ge/). […]

By-election and local elections today in Georgia

By | October 31st, 2015|Categories: Elections|Tags: , |

Tamar Khidasheli is Georgian Dream’s candidate for parliament in Sagarejo. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–By-elections for parliament and local elections went ahead in Georgia on Saturday with some minor irregularities. Two seats in parliament are up for election in Martvili and Sagarejo while there are local elections in Dmanisi, Vani, Khobi and Sagarejo. […]

Clean sweep for government in Georgia’s local election

By | July 14th, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

The Georgian Dream coalition won all races for mayors and heads of municipality in the second round of the local elections. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Dream coalition won the second round of the local election in every city and municipality, according to preliminary results from Georgia’s Central Election Commission (CEC). Davit Narmania, Georgian Dream candidate for Tbilisi mayor, […]

Landslide victory for the government coalition in Tbilisi local election

By | July 13th, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

Tamar Zhvania, head of Georgia’s election commission, announced the preliminary results Saturday night. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government coalition’s candidate for Tbilisi mayor will get 72.7 percent of votes, according to  preliminary results from the Central Election Commission (CEC) in Georgia. Presenting the results Sunday night, CEC head Tamar Zhvania […]

Georgia holds second round of local elections

By | July 12th, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

Georgians go to the polls for run-off elections in eight cities and 13 municipalities today. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Today, Georgia holds the second round of the local election in eight cities and 13 municipalities. According to the Central Election Commission (CEC), there are 1,715,514 voters for the second round, who will vote in 28 electoral districts comprising […]

Mayor candidates promising Tbilisians better times

By | July 4th, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: , |

Georgian Dream candidate for Tbilisi mayor, Davit Narmania. (Photo published by Georgian Dream.) TBILISI, DFWatch–One week before the run-off election for Tbilisi mayor, candidates are showering the electorate with promises, though the major issue in the campaign, whether to have direct debates between candidates, is still undecided. The government […]

Second round of Georgia’s local election slated for July 12

By | July 4th, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

The second round of local elections will be held on July 12. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The second round of Georgia’s local election will be held on next Saturday, July 12, according to the Central Election Commission (CEC). CEC made its decision after a session which ended late Thursday night. The first round of the local […]

Repeat elections held in Georgia

By | June 30th, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

Repeat elections were held at fourteen precincts on Sunday. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia conducted repeat elections at fourteen precincts on Sunday. The government coalition won in eight precincts, while the National Movement won at two precincts. Other parties’ candidates and independents won in the rest of the precincts. […]

Georgia repeat elections will be on June 29

By | June 20th, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

In a few places, people will be asked to vote again on June 29 because the elections results were canceled. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Repeat elections will be held June 29 at seven precincts because results there were canceled, Georgia’s Central Election Commission (CEC) announced. Among the precincts which will hold another first round in the local elections two are in Marneuli, […]

Results canceled at two precincts after video shows fraud

By | June 19th, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

The government coalition claims a video published by National Movement which appears to show election fraud was staged. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Election results at two Georgian precincts were canceled Tuesday, as a result of a controversial video published by the National Movement party, which lost the local election in that area. The video is made by the organization Free Zone, which […]

Election update after 98% of votes have been counted

By | June 17th, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

Former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili voting in Ozurgeti on Sunday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government coalition had a strong showing in the local election, though not as strong as in the previous two national elections. In the capital Tbilisi, the coalition’s candidate for mayor, Davit Narmania, received 46.12 percent, […]

Celebratory mood after Georgia’s local election

By | June 16th, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: , |

Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili (left) and candidate for Tbilisi mayor Davit Narmania, celebrated Sunday night. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Both the ruling Georgian Dream coalition and the National Movement celebrated the results of exit polls from Sunday’s local election. Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili congratulated candidate for Tbilisi mayor Davit Narmania on his victory, […]

Footballer-minister Kaladze accused of election violation

By | June 15th, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: , |

Energy Minister Kakhi Kaladze denied having violated election laws. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A government spokesperson in Georgia defended himself Sunday against criticism from an opposition politician for standing in front of a political banner during a press conference on election day. Energy Minister and Vice Prime Minister Kakhi Kaladze […]

What you need to know about Georgia’s local election

By | June 15th, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

Today’s election marks a significant expansion of local democracy in Georgia. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Sunday’s election in Georgia marks a significant expansion of local democracy in the country. Voters are electing twelve new mayors, 59 gamgebelis, or heads of municipalities, and about 2,500 members of 71 local councils. 16,190 registered […]

Voting goes smoothly in Georgia’s local election

By | June 15th, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: , |

“I call on every politician to make today a victory for democracy,” said President Giorgi Margvelashvili after casting his vote in Tbilisi. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch-Voting went smoothly Sunday in Georgia’s local election. 517,123 people had voted by noon, according to the Central Election Commission (CEC). This is 16 percent of registered voters. ISFED said 98.7% of precincts were ready to receive voters […]

561 foreign observers for Georgia’s local election

By | June 14th, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: , |

Tamar Zhvania, head of Georgia’s Central Election Commission. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There will be 32 international and 59 Georgian organizations observing the local election on Sunday, according to the Central Election Commission (CEC). The CEC said the number of representatives of Georgian organizations […]

Government’s candidate in Marneuli confirms withdrawal

By | June 14th, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: , |

Merab Topchishvili confirmed that he is withdrawing as candidate for gamgebeli in Marneuli. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A candidate for Georgia’s governing coalition in a town south of the capital has announced that he is withdrawing from tomorrow’s local election. The coalition earlier said he would withdraw. Merab Topchishvili was Georgian Dream’s candidate […]

Government coalition withdraws its candidate in Marneuli

By | June 13th, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: , , |

Georgian Dream has withdrawn Merab Topchishvili (pictured) from the election for gamgebeli in Marneuli. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Dream coalition on Thursday withdrew its candidate for gamgebeli in Marneuli in Sunday’s local election, explaining that it was necessary in order to avoid making it into a purely ethnic vote. The National Movement is running with an […]

National Movement under investigation for faking persecution

By | June 13th, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani has asked Prosecutor’s Office to investigate whether the National Movement’s candidates are pretending to be under pressure. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili’s party is under investigation for pretending to be victim of political persecution.  Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani has asked the Prosecutor’s Office to investigate whether the National Movement […]

Audit Office wants to fine three political parties

By | June 11th, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: , |

The Audit Office monitors the financial activities of political parties. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The State Audit Office wants to fine the political parties Alliance of Georgia’s Patriots, Conservative Party and Georgia’s Way. The body which monitors the financial activity of political parties claims that Alliance of Georgia’s Patriots didn’t declare donations […]

Tbilisi court restores UNM’s candidate in Marneuli

By | June 10th, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: , |

The Central Election Commission has damaged its reputation, says National Movement activist Giga Bokeria. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court on Tuesday restored a National Movement candidate’s right to run in the June 15 local election. Akmamed Imamkuliev was launched as the UNM’s candidate for gamgebeli in Marneuli, a town in southern Georgia. But June 5, […]

Mayor breaks into district election office, swears at official

By | June 6th, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: , , , |

Suspended Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava and other National Movement members accuse a district election official of being partial. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Suspended Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava Thursday broke into a district election commission office in Marneuli and swore at the local official in charge. It’s the latest in a series of incidents involving the party, as Georgia gets closed to the local […]

Scuffle outside National Movement office in Rustavi

By | May 25th, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: , , |

Georgian Dream and National Movement activists clashed in Rustavi Saturday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A scuffle developed Saturday as supporters of the ruling Georgian Dream coalition demonstrated outside the National Movement’s party office in Rustavi, a city 20 km south of the capital. Mamuka Chikovani, the UNM candidate for Rustavi mayor, […]

Georgian Dream claims UNM created fake party office

By | May 13th, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: , |

Georgian Dream activists in Tskaltubo clashed with another group of campaigners who they claim are actually from the National Movement. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two groups of Georgian Dream coalition activists clashed during a campaign event Monday in Tskhaltubo, a town in western Georgia. One faction of activists asked the government for help, claiming that the coalition has two headquarters in Tskhaltubo, […]

48% of Georgians will vote for the ruling coalition

By | May 9th, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: , , |

Davit Narmania from Georgian Dream can be reasonably confident he will become Tbilisi mayor. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–48 percent of Georgians would vote for the Georgian Dream coalition if there were local elections tomorrow, a new polls shows. This the second part of a wider survey published by National Democratic Institute (NDI) on Thursday, contains the party […]

Georgia’s former ruling party loses its trademark ‘number 5’

By | May 7th, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

The number 5 has been the National Movement’s symbol in all recent elections. Here from a campaign rally in Tbilisi, August, 2012. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Central Election Commission has rejected the National Movement’s request to use the number 5 on the ballot-papers in the local elections in June. UNM, which is running alongside the Christian Conservative Party, said in a statement May 5 that […]

Georgia’s governing coalition launches local election campaign

By | April 28th, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili (left) and Georgian Dream candidate for Tbilisi mayor Davit Narmania. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream coalition on Saturday launched its election campaign and presented candidates for mayors in 12 cities. The main event at Sports Palace in Tbilisi gathered up to 12,000 people and included MPs, government members, […]

Voter’s list shrinks ahead of local election in Georgia

By | April 22nd, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: , |

Voting in the Nadzaladevi by-election a year ago in Tbilisi. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There are 3.49 million registered voters for Georgia’s June 15 local elections. This marks a gradual reduction in the Georgian electorate. In the presidential election in October 2013, 3.54 million people were eligible to vote, while a year before […]

PM announces ‘moratorium’ on prosecuting ex-officials

By | April 15th, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: , |

Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia has introduced a ‘moratorium’ on prosecuting former officials from the National Movement party of Mikheil Saakashvili, out of fear that it may restrict democratic rights. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili said […]

Georgia to hold local elections on June 15

By | April 14th, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: , |

Georgian Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The 2014 local elections in Georgia will be held on June 15. This is decided in a decree by President Giorgi Margvelashvili signed April 10. The decree has been sent to the government for approval and will come into force as soon as it is published […]

Georgia may limit questioning of politicians ahead of election

By | April 12th, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: , |

Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani wants guidelines for criminal investigations involving people running in the local election in June. Tsulukiani did not explain more specifically what kind of rules it will be beyond calling for ‘recommendations’. She said […]

Georgia creates commission to handle election violations

By | April 7th, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani will head the commission. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has created an interagency commission to handle violations ahead of the local elections, slated for June. The commission will be led by Minister of Justice Thea Tsulukiani. Other members are the deputy interior minister, deputy foreign […]

Georgian PM wants 50% first past the post threshold

By | February 18th, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: , , |

Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili proposes to raise the threshold for winning in the first round of local elections to 50 percent. Gharibashvili, who represents the Georgian Dream coalition, suggests having a 50 percent threshold also in mayoral […]

Georgia’s ruling coalition promises clean local election

By | February 16th, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: , , |

Biometric voter’s lists is something the opposition has been wanting for a long time, said Zviad Dzidziguri, Member of Parliament for the Georgian Dream coalition. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Dream coalition promises that there will not be fraud in the upcoming local elections, as the voters’ list is being checked by use of biometric data, which will prevent names from appearing two or more times. Georgian Dream, both the coalition and the party with the same […]

Georgian gov’t updating legislation ahead of local election

By | February 10th, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: , , |

Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In a week the government in Georgia will decide whether to follow recommendations and proposals made by the non-parliamentary opposition and non-governmental organizations about amendments to the Election Code. Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili […]

Biometric voter’s list may not be used in Georgia’s local election

By | February 3rd, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: , |

Vakhtang Khmaladze, head of parliament’s judiciary committee. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A biometric election list may not be ready for the upcoming local elections in Georgia, which will be held in June, 2014. Election lists have been subject to disputes for a long time, especially during the National Movement government, when there were claims that […]

Burjanadze fined USD 36 600 for campaign financing violation

By | January 18th, 2014|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: , |

Nino Burjanadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The State Audit Office in Georgia has fined the party led by opposition figure Nino Burjanadze, Democratic Movement, 65 000 lari (USD 36 600) for not declaring its finances in the election campaign. The State Audit Office, previously known as […]

Georgia to hold local elections in June 2014

By | December 6th, 2013|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: , |

Davit Berdzenishvili from the Georgian Dream coalition. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The local elections in Georgia will be held in June 2014, instead of May, the parliamentary majority says. The last local elections were held on May 30, 2010. Davit Berdzenishvili from the Georgian Dream coalition said on Friday that the local […]

Ivanishvili demoted Alasania to end speculation

By | January 24th, 2013|Categories: Elections, Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: , |

Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili doesn’t want speculation about a possible presidential run for Defense Minister Irakli Alasania in October, 2013. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgia’s Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili says the reason he removed Defense Minister Irakli Alasania from his post as vice prime minister was to end speculation in Alasania’s party about making him a candidate for president. The prime minister […]

Alasania to focus on defense

By | January 23rd, 2013|Categories: Elections, Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: , |

Irakli Alasania is no longer vice prime minister, only defense minister. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili has relieved Defense Minister Irakli Alasania of his additional responsibilities as vice prime minister. The press office of the PM says a decree was issued January 21 and that Ivanishvili will explain […]

Alasania not a candidate for president

By | January 23rd, 2013|Categories: Elections, Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: , |

Defense Minister Irakli Alasania in the funeral of Sergeant Giorgi Kikadze Jan. 5, 2013. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Defense Minister Irakli Alasania says the Georgian Dream coalition has had ‘an awkward discussion’ about selecting a candidate for the presidential election, but he doesn’t consider himself a candidate, as he feels responsibility for the post he […]

Repeat elections give Georgian Dream the upper hand

By | October 15th, 2012|Categories: Elections, Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch — There were repeat elections at eleven precincts in three regions of Georgia on Sunday. According to the Central Election Commission (CEC), voter turnout at the time voting ended was 32.9 percent. The repeat election was conducted peacefully without […]

Repeat elections in Georgia due to serious fraud

By | October 14th, 2012|Categories: Elections, Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch — Eleven precincts in three districts in Georgia are holding repeat elections Sunday, because of grave irregularities which led to results of the October 1 parliamentary election being canceled. All eleven are what’s called majoritarian or first-past-the-post […]

More elections in Georgia following violations

By | October 12th, 2012|Categories: Elections, Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch — Several election districts in Georgia will have to vote again on October 14 because the results of the October 1 parliamentary election were annulled due to violations, according to the Central Election Commission (CEC). The commission decided on Wednesday […]

Georgian Dream activists accused of violence

By | October 10th, 2012|Categories: Elections, Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch — The physical harassment and psychological pressure against the district election commissions is continuing. Activists from the Georgian Dream party, which won the parliamentary election last week, are now accused of harassing local authorities in Marneuli […]

Counting completed, many complaints

By | October 5th, 2012|Categories: Elections, Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch — Four days after the election, the Central Election Commission (CEC) said the counting of votes had been completed and announced the final results. After collating votes from 3 766 district, preliminary results show the Georgian Dream coalition received […]

Video shows armed attack on voting precinct

By | October 5th, 2012|Categories: Elections, Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch — A video was publishedThursday showing a person wearing a mask breaking into one of the election precincts in Khashuri, a small town in eastern Georgia. On election day Monday, there were reports about special units breaking into several precincts […]

Wave of demonstrations against election fraud

By | October 4th, 2012|Categories: Elections, Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: , |

TBILISI, DFWatch – Georgian Dream and others are protesting outside the election commission offices in nineteen one-past-the-post districts where the National Movement party is winning. According to the latest figures from the Central Election Commission, Georgian Dream […]

Saakashvili lost in his favorite region

By | October 4th, 2012|Categories: Elections, Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch — President Mikheil Saakashvili’s party lost the election in the Autonomous Republic of Adjara. This is his favorite region which he visits frequently. Georgian Dream coalition got 57.6 percent of the votes according to the most recent figures from the […]

Clinton congratulates Georgian election winners

By | October 3rd, 2012|Categories: Elections, Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – The U.S. Secretary of State responded to Monday’s election in Georgia congratulating Georgians on their peaceful and active participation in the election. A statement published on the State Department website says the election was a historic day for […]

Counting of votes almost completed

By | October 3rd, 2012|Categories: Elections, Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – The counting of votes is almost finished in Georgia and results show that the opposition leads with 55.1 percent, against the ruling National Movement with 40.1 percent of votes. The other parties seem to not overcome the 5 percent barrier for getting […]

Most violations were not grave, ISFED found

By | October 3rd, 2012|Categories: Elections, Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) summed up events on Election Day and reported about violations. The organization had 300 observers at 63 election district from 73. ISFED found that the election process went mostly with […]

Parallel vote counting confirms opposition win

By | October 2nd, 2012|Categories: Elections, Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – A group carrying out parallel vote counting has estimated that Georgian Dream won by 54.6 to 40.7 percent over National Movement. International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) published their results of parallel vote tabulation (PVT). […]

Georgian election was competitive, OSCE finds

By | October 2nd, 2012|Categories: Elections, Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – OSCE says Georgia made an important step in consolidating the conduct of democratic elections, but there are still some key issues left needing to address. The organization has the largest contingent of election observers here, under its Office for […]

Call for results to be annulled

By | October 2nd, 2012|Categories: Elections, Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – The election result from several precincts in three districts of Georgia may be annulled, says the head of Central Election Commission (CEC). Due to tension at several precincts in Khashuri that were stormed by special police units yesterday, […]

Oppositon victory in Georgia election

By | October 2nd, 2012|Categories: Elections, Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – Official results from the Central Election Commission at 06:20 am local time showed that the opposition Georgian Dream was leading with 54.61 percent ahead of the ruling National Movement party with 40.44 percent. Counting is still ongoing. These results […]

Police storm election precincts in Georgia

By | October 2nd, 2012|Categories: Elections, Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – Special police forces stormed several election precincts in Georgia, seized the ballot box and rewrote the protocol, in order to prevent an opposition victory. Special units of the police have entered several election precincts in Khashuri, a small […]

Young lawyers found violations

By | October 2nd, 2012|Categories: Elections, Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – Georgian Young Lawyer’s Association discovered many violations during the election October 1. At a press conference 21:00 GYLA detailed their findings. The organization has information that near two election precincts special forces are mobilized. […]

Opposition takes all seats from Tbilisi

By | October 1st, 2012|Categories: Elections, Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – According to Maestro TV’s exit poll, the opposition Georgian Dream coalition is set to win also in districts with the majoritarian (first-past-the-post) system in the capital: Mtatsimnda, Tbilisi – National movement candidate has 23 percent; Georgian […]

Violations continued during election day

By | October 1st, 2012|Categories: Elections, Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – Another series of violations are regularly reported through local non-government organizations, media outlets and social networks from all over the country in Monday’s parliamentary elections. The movement Multinational Georgia reports about twenty […]

Georgian leader concedes partial defeat

By | October 1st, 2012|Categories: Elections, Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili concedes that his National Movement party has been defeated in the parliamentary election in districts with the proportional system, but won in districts with majoritarian candidates. Saakashvili thanked people […]

Opposition predicted to win Georgian election

By | October 1st, 2012|Categories: Elections, Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – All the exit polls published after voting ended show that the opposition has won the election in Georgia. Also the pro-government TV channels show Georgian Dream winning. Rustavi 2’s exit poll show the following: Georgian Dream 51 percent, National […]

Ivanishvili has not voted

By | October 1st, 2012|Categories: Elections, Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – The leader of Georgia’s opposition coalition has not voted in Monday’s parliamentary election. Bidzina Ivanishvili, leader of Georgian Dream, says he refuses to use his new constitutional right to vote, thereby adhering to a statement he made […]

Reports of violations

By | October 1st, 2012|Categories: Elections, Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch — Local non-governmental organizations are reporting about different kinds of violations in Monday’s election. Transparency International Georgia (TI) reports that one of the main problems is that there are not enough ballot-papers and envelopes in […]

Historic Georgian election underway

By | October 1st, 2012|Categories: Elections, Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – In Georgia the most important election in recent history is underway. According to the Central Election Commission, there was a 25.5 voter turnout by 12:00. There have already been reports of violations. Many see the parliamentary election as a test […]

Ten month old’s tragic death seen as political

By | October 1st, 2012|Categories: Elections, Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – The kidnapping and killing of a 10 months old girl from an opposition activists’ family has pushed a strained electoral atmosphere towards the boiling point. A ten-month old infant was today found dead in a pitcher full of water after declared […]

61 000 local observers to follow election

By | October 1st, 2012|Categories: Elections, Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – An unprecedented 61 000 local observers will follow tomorrow’s parliamentary election, head of the Central Election Commission (CEC) says. There are more than 33 000 representatives of election subjects and representatives of political parties in […]

Ivanishvili confident ahead of election

By | September 30th, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – The leader of the largest opposition coalition says there will be set a new precedent in Georgia’s recent history, when the government is changed through election. Bidzina Ivanishvili appeared confident in front media after meeting […]

Patriarch Ilia II hopes for a fair election

By | September 30th, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – The Georgian patriarch on Sunday stated that he expects Monday’s election to be without fraud and that people will vote for who they want. Numerous polls have shown Patriarch Illia II to be the most trusted person in Georgia, scoring higher than […]

Opposition’s last mass rally ahead of important vote

By | September 29th, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – The Georgian Dream coalition which is challenging President Saakashvili’s power in Monday’s parliamentary election, mobilized over a hundred thousand supporters in the center of Tbilisi Saturday. The coalition also held a rally in the country’s […]

Georgian leader holds ‘most grandiose event ever’

By | September 29th, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – The party currently in power in Georgia Friday organized a rally counting thousands at the national football stadium in Tbilisi. Majoritarian candidates and other members of the United National Movement party, as well as government officials, held […]

Court rejects appeal against photo ban

By | September 28th, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – A court in Georgia has ruled that the Central Election Commission’s decision to establish tight regulations for media on Election Day are legal. The rules in practice make it impossible to take photos and videos at election precincts. Under the current […]

CEC introduces de facto photo ban at precincts

By | September 25th, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: , |

TBILISI, DFWatch – Georgia’s Central Election Commission (CEC) has established many prohibitions on the use of photographic equipment at election precincts, which in fact restricts and makes it impossible to take photos on Election Day. Use of photos may document […]

Emigrants return to Georgia to defend democracy

By | September 18th, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – Georgian emigrants Monday returned to their homeland to protest the restriction of their right to vote. A number of Georgian emigrants today arrived in Batumi, a port city on the Black Sea coast, and held a protest rally in front of a public […]

Ivanishvili denies rumours of Brussels meeting

By | September 15th, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – The largest opposition bloc in Georgia refuses to sign a code of conduct signed by other political parties, because signing it would force it to recognize the election results if the international community does so. Friday Georgian media reported that […]

CoE election observers visit Georgia

By | September 11th, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – Representatives of the Council of Europe’s observer mission will arrive in Georgia next week in order to get familiar with the situation before the upcoming parliamentary elections on October 1. Nino Kalandadze, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, said […]

Opposition claims government wants to falsify election

By | September 6th, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – The opposition Georgian Dream party accuses government of attempting to legally falsify the parliamentary election. One of the coalition’s lawyers Zakaria Kutsnashvili said Thursday that the amended election code regulates the issue of voters […]

Groups demand to change election date for emigrants

By | September 6th, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|

TBILISI, DFWatch – Democracy groups demand that the date of the parliamentary is brought forward for Georgians living abroad. The election is scheduled for October 1, but the groups it brought forward to September 29 or 30. The groups say in an application to the Central Election […]

NDI report highlights bias in application of law

By | September 4th, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – The seizing of the bank accounts of an opposition figure and his partner, a former AC Milan player, has strengthened the perception of a selective and disproportionate application of the law, according to a new report by National Democratic Institute. […]

Georgian opposition hit by yet another fine

By | September 3rd, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – The largest opposition coalition in Georgia may be fined again, after the State Audit Office has said certain individuals implemented financial operations in the name of Georgian Dream, which is prohibited by law. A statement by the State Audit […]

Activists of the ruling party are distributing products to citizens

By | September 2nd, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – People dressed in National Movement t-shirts are handing out gifts to people Telavi, a town in eastern Georgia. They give them 10 kg of flour, 5 kg of pasta, a bottle of oil and 2 pieces of washing powder. According to the Informational Center of […]

Democracy groups in Georgia go on the offensive

By | August 30th, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – Georgian National Platform, a coalition of local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), has released a statement regarding the period leading up to the parliamentary election. The National Platform was set up in October 2010 with a goal to support […]

Audit agency fines pro-government campaign group

By | August 28th, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – Georgia’s State Audit Service wants to fine a non-governmental organization (NGO) which supports the government by 5 000 lari, or about USD 3 000. The State Audit Service, which has authority to track the financial relations of political parties and […]

Eleven parties and blocs agree to campaign financing

By | August 27th, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – Eleven party lists and coalitions have agreed to election campaign financing. Central Election Commission informs that Freedom to Way of Zviad Gamsakhurdia, Georgian Dasi, Free Georgia, New Rights Party, Christian Democrats, People’s […]

Pro-democracy group: violations are harming the election process

By | August 25th, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: , |

TBILISI, DFWatch – An American pro-democracy group says it’s questionable whether there is rule of law in Georgia. The non-government organization (NGO) Committee for Open Democracy said at a press conference on Friday that the organization will have 20 observers […]

Saakahsvili to deal with problems in the election environment

By | August 24th, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – A spokesperson for President Mikheil Saakahsvili says the president is thankful to a delegation from OSCE’s Parliamentary Assembly which recently criticized conditions here before the election. The experts visited Georgia in order to the study the […]

Observers say Georgia’s election campaign has signs of Leninism

By | August 24th, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – A delegation from the OSCE’s Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) which is in Georgia to observe the election says Georgia’s law enforcement bodies lack objectivity. The observers mainly criticize the State Audit Office, saying they act on the basis […]

ODIHR arrives in Georgia to observe the election

By | August 23rd, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – Observers from the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) are now in place in Tbilisi and have started monitoring events leading in preparation for the parliamentary election. ODIHR will publish its final report two months […]

CoE expresses concern about campaign finance measures

By | August 21st, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

Two officials in the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) in a new statement express concern about how Georgia’s authorities are enforcing a set of new tough campaign finance rules. The regulations were ushered in late in 2011, after the appearance […]

Opposition bloc in Georgia signs code of conduct

By | August 21st, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – The largest opposition bloc in Georgia has decided to join the code of conduct for political parties. The rules were the brainchild of the campaign This Affects You Too, and the 17-point document outlines rules of conduct for political parties […]

Georgian Dream denied to use number 7 on the ballot

By | August 20th, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – The largest opposition bloc in Georgia was denied to register under the number seven on the ballot in the upcoming parliamentary election. Representatives of the Georgian Dream coalition say that they have asked the Central Election Commission […]

Political parties agree to rules of conduct

By | August 20th, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – Political parties in Georgia are ready to agree with rules of conduct prepared by the campaign This Affects You Too intended to secure a peaceful, fair and competitive electoral environment before the October 1 parliamentary election. The ruling […]

OSCE tops arrive in Georgia to discuss October election

By | August 18th, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – Riccardo Migliori, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, will arrive in Georgia for the election period, together with a delegation from the OSCE. According to parliament’s press office, the delegation will arrive on August 19 and hold […]

Government commission warns against local transgressions

By | August 18th, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – The inter-agency commission tasked with monitoring the election process calls on local governments not to place party symbols in their offices, as this is a violation of law. Tamar Kintsurashvili, a member of the commission, said on Monday […]

Georgian Dream names candidates to Adjarian council

By | August 16th, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – The opposition Georgian Dream coalition continues to name its majoritarian. This time the candidates for the High Council of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara. The nominees are mathematician Amiran Mamuladze in Khulo, doctor […]

Info9 cameraman beaten by local official

By | August 16th, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – A cameraman for an opposition affiliated media outlet was today beaten by a local employee of Lanchkhuti town. His camera was broken in the incident. It happened while a journalist and a cameraman from info9 were standing outside the […]

Ivanishvili names Irakli Alasania as candidate for Samegrelo

By | August 15th, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch - Bidzina Ivanishvili, the Georgian president’s main competitor, plans to win in the western Samegrelo region by having the country's former UN ambassador run there. The region borders on Russian controlled Abkhazia and is that part of the country where Mikheil Saakashvili’s government has the largest influence. Bidzina Ivanishvili named Irakli Alasania as majoritarian [...]

Georgian opposition asks world to react to election violations

By | August 15th, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – Georgian Dream, the strongest competitor to the party of Presidential Mikheil Saakashvili, calls on foreign diplomats and international organizations in Tbilisi to react ‘correctly and adequately’ regarding ongoing political processes in Georgia. […]

Plan for Georgian election observers still pending

By | August 13th, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – It is still unknown when international observers will start monitoring the election in Georgia. Parliamentary elections are scheduled for October 1, but long-term observsers have not yet arrived in the country. Local rights groups have for months […]

3.6 million voters will decide election in Georgia

By | August 7th, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – There are 3 621 256 voters in Georgia, according to Central Election Commission’s (CEC) preliminary data, which was published today. According to the CEC, there are 84 election districts in the country. The majority of voters,155 502, are from […]

Who is to blame for election violence in Georgia?

By | August 6th, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – In Georgia, the government’s main competitor, Georgian Dream, claims that they support fair and free elections and accuses the government of attempting to provoke civil confrontation. Georgian Dream released this statement on Monday as a response […]

U.N. Envoy criticizes Georgia for not respecting human rights

By | February 14th, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: , |

TBILISI, DFWatch – A United Nations envoy says the new party finance rules Georgia introduced in December are a violation of human rights. Special Rapporteur Maina Kiai says that ‘they at times use ambiguous language, are fuelling an overall climate of distrust, and […]

Georgia increases subsidy for political ads

By | January 30th, 2012|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch - The government in Georgia increases the state funding of political TV ads to create a more level playing field for this year’s election. But analysts say it’s not enough. An extra 2.2 million laris, or nearly 1.3 million US dollars, will be set aside in the state budget for subsidized political [...]

Opposition must return tycoon’s gifts

By | December 28th, 2011|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch - The political partners of the Georgian tycoon turned opposition leader will have to return the money they received from him. Otherwise, they must give it to the state. This is the consequence of a new bill approved by parliament on Wednesday at the third and last hearing. The final version of the bill [...]

Access to media crucial in 2012 election

By | December 28th, 2011|Categories: Elections, Media, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch - As a bundle of election related bills are up for final review in parliament, it became clear Tuesday that the ruling party is against a proposal prepared by media workers about how to conduct monitoring of media fairness during the election campaign. The proposal concerns changes to the Election Code and the law [...]

NGOs warn: unfair election system

By | December 28th, 2011|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch - Tuesday Georgia's new election system should have been passed in parliament, but the package of bills was stopped in the last minute by a group of rights activists, who warned of potential problems. The groups are sounding the alarm that the new election system does not create a level playing field. Several experts [...]

Delay in electoral roll check

By | November 6th, 2011|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch - As less than a year is left until Georgians will go to the polls again, the government should have been moving ahead with a commission to go through the electoral roll, following a rush law amendment, but as of now the commission has not yet been set up. To have such a commission [...]

Election reform is postponed

By | October 30th, 2011|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch - The election reform has been postponed for two months. It should have ended by the end of October, but is delayed until the end of December. The government explains the delay with the need to wait until the Venice Commission publishes its final conclusion. A few days ago, Venice Commission chairman Tomas Markert, [...]

Opposition feels targeted by ban on loyalty gifts

By | October 18th, 2011|Categories: Elections, News|Tags: |

Georgia's ruling party has made it illegal for a political candidate to let him or herself be caught up in backroom deals with campaign contributors. The opposition thinks it's done to undermine their financing. While the laws against corruption here as in other countries applies to elected officials, Georgia has widened criminal liability to also include [...]

Groups boycott right-to-vote reform

By | October 15th, 2011|Categories: Elections, Legal reform, News|Tags: |

Three rights groups refuse to take part in a new system meant to guarantee every Georgian the right to vote, because they think the reform may make things worse. Parliament has just decided to establish a new system for going through the voters rolls and make sure that every citizen who has a right to vote [...]

CoE to Georgia: No more surprises, please

By | October 13th, 2011|Categories: Elections, Legal reform, News|Tags: |

Two observers from the Council of Europe (CoE) have asked Georgia's ruling party to stop coming up with surprise changes in a draft law without going through the normal democratic procedures. At least according to one of the opposition politicians, two rapporteurs from the Monitoring Committee of the CoE's Parliamentary Assembly asked Georgia's ruling party to [...]

Political Tbilisi skeptical to proposed new election system

By | October 3rd, 2011|Categories: Elections, Europe, Legal reform, News, Politics|Tags: |

Work to improve the Georgian election environment has ended as a draft has been sent off to the Council of Europe's Venice Commission for review and the government promises that parliament will not start its review until the results of the review are clear. It's hard to say what the Venice Commission's conclusions will be and [...]

Ruling party’s latest election law maneuver a setback for democracy

By | October 2nd, 2011|Categories: Elections, Europe, Legal reform, News|Tags: |

Three non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are seriously concerned after the government's sudden changes to the draft for a new election law. Now that rights advocates have had time to look closer at the changes, which were worked out behind everyone's backs and revealed a week ago, their conclusion is that this is a disappointment to everyone who [...]

Government introduces surprise changes in new election law

By | September 23rd, 2011|Categories: Elections, Legal reform, News, Politics|Tags: |

After reaching a hard-fought agreement with several opposition parties, the ruling party has introduced significant changes in the draft for a new Georgian Election Code. According to lawmakers, the eleventh-hour changes were only made in order to ensure a democratic election environment in the country, however many opposition parties remain skeptical. Some of the changes in [...]

Leak shows U.S. believed secret tapes ‘turned the tide’ for Saakashvili in 2008 election

By | September 9th, 2011|Categories: Elections, News|

The United States ambassador at the time thought that two recordings which were televised by Saakashvili's government right before the presidential election in January 2008, decided the final outcome in his favor. The two clandestinely acquired tapes purportedly proved that one the president's challengers  to the presidency had plans to commit a coup d'etat. The new [...]