Election Results Annulled in 48 Precincts

2.  Election Results Annulled in 48 Precincts

3.  RESULTS OF ELECTIONS WERE RIGGED IN FAVOUR OF RULING PARTY IN LAGODEKHI AND SIGNAKHI

District election commissions in Lagodekhi and Signakhi rigged the parliamentary elections in favor of the ruling party. This statement has been made today by representatives of NGO > in the media-centre. This organization had the status of an observer at the elections. According to Giga Amirkhanashvili, actually there were no elections in Lagodekhi where most part of the population was Azeris. At constituencies where over 10 electors were not registered, 1000 ballot papers were revealed in ballot boxes. IN Karajala the got 1050 illegal votes, in Uzurtala-963, in Kabala - 1292. Observers of the organization fixed other violations too - agitation on the day of the elections in favor of the ruling party, pressure exerted on observers, frightening of them, voting with forged ballot papers in favor of Right Wing opposition and laborites. Analogous facts were fixed in Signakhi. The International Centre of Civil Culture submitted all facts of violations to the Central Election Commission and appealed to court on some facts.

   

CEC’S LATEST RESULTS

Tbilisi. 31 March ’04, www.civil.ge - The Central Election Commission (CEC) innounced on March 31 the latest results of the March 28 parliamentary elections. With 1,518,000 votes counted out of approximately 1,532,521 cast only the ruling National Movement party and Rightist Opposition coalition could clear 7% threshold to secure seats in the Parliament. Below are the latest results: 1. National Movement - Democrats - 67, 02%; 2. The Rightist Opposition - Industrialists-New Rights - 7, 62%; 3. The Revival Union – 6, 02% 4. The Labor Party - 5, 81%; 5. Freedom (Tavisupleba) Movement - 4, 23%; 6. NDP - Traditionalists - 2, 52%; 7. Unity - 2, 41%. CEC Chairman Zurab Tchiaberashvili said at a news briefing on March 31, that the results from 89 polling stations are remained to be counted, however, added that these results will not significantly change the situation. […]. Results in several precincts in Adjara and Kvemo Kartli region might be canceled. The cancellation of results in Kvemo Kartli will affect on Rightist Opposition coalition first of all, because the coalition garnered significant part of votes in Kvemo Kartli region.

GEORGIAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS DEMONSTRATE CONTINUED PROGRESS

Tbilisi. 29 March ’04, www.osce.org. - The 28 March parliamentary elections in Georgia demonstrated commendable progress in relation to previous elections, concludes the International Election Observation Mission in a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions issued today. The Georgian authorities have seized the opportunity in the last few months to bring Georgia's election process into closer alignment with European standards for democratic elections, the Mission has found. However, continued intimidation and physical abuse against opposition supporters and journalists in Ajara, cast a shadow over the overall progress in the election process, its statement adds. It also makes clear that Georgia's election process will only be fully tested in a more competitive environment, once a genuine level of political pluralism is re-established. Some 440 international observers monitored the polls. “The contrast with the November 2003 parliamentary elections is very substantial," said Bruce George, Special Co-ordinator of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office leading the Short-Term Observation Mission. "I am encouraged by the move towards greater democratization. I look forward on my return to witness the process deepened.” Matyas Eorsi, Head of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly's delegation added that the Georgian paradox revealed promising elections with disconcerting effects. “This poll was better organized and more democratic than previous ones," he said. "Yet it almost resulted in a one-party parliament, which does reflect the will of the people, but cannot reflect the wide diversity of views indispensable for meaningful debates on Georgia's future. The Government has now received the political support it needed to introduce necessary reforms for the benefit of the whole of Georgia.” Demetrio Volcic, Head of the Delegation of the European Parliament pointed out that “With the exception of Ajara, the media was able to express itself freely. However, the State TV news focused overwhelmingly on the authorities and the parties supporting them and failed to provide sufficient airtime for political debate. It is in the Government's interest to conduct a dialogue with the opposition,” Michael Wygant, who heads the Long-Term Observation Mission of the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said that “No effort was made by the authorities of Ajara to create conditions during the campaign for conduct of a democratic election, as sometimes violent intimidation of supporters of the opposition, election officials and journalists demonstrated very clearly.” International observers also stated that commendable efforts were made to improve the voters' lists. Although same-day voter registration was allowed this time, it should not be repeated in future elections. The continuing lack of a clear separation between state administration and political party structures, as well as the inability to ensure balanced composition of election commissions at all levels, should be addressed by the authorities. In general, Election Day was calm and peaceful and the election administration operated with overall efficiency. In Ajara, apparently there were less systematic irregularities, although isolated incidents have been reported. Once again, voter irregularities were particularly noticeable in Marneuli, Gardabani and Tkibuli, where observers reported cases of multiple voting and ballot stuffing, as well as suspiciously high turnout figures.

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