COPENHAGEN, 24 October 2020 – Some 28 observers from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly will deploy next week to Georgia for the 31 October parliamentary elections.

Elona Gjebrea Hoxha and Pia KaumaAlbanian parliamentarian and Rapporteur of the OSCE PA's Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment Elona Gjebrea Hoxha will serve as Special Co-ordinator and leader of the short-term OSCE observer mission, following an appointment by the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Albanian Prime Minister and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Edi Rama. Hoxha has led the OSCE PA election observation delegation to Azerbaijan earlier this year.

“As observers, our parliamentarians are greatly experienced with elections within their country, as well as across the entire OSCE region, which enables us to offer an impartial assessment of the elections,” noted Hoxha. “We appreciate the opportunity to visit Georgia and observe these elections, despite the pandemic. Our observers will follow all relevant guidelines and requirements to ensure our safety, as well as the safety of those we meet.”

Vice-President Lord Peter Bowness has appointed Pia Kauma (MP, Finland), OSCE PA Special Representative on Civil Society Engagement, to lead the OSCE PA observer delegation.

“The spring agreement to reform the electoral system, which was achieved after a long deadlock between all parties, set an important background for these elections and I am pleased that our delegation will be able to closely observe these important elections under the reformed framework,” stated Kauma. "It is even more important that after this accomplishment, we can witness an election day that will proceed in a calm and orderly manner, paying testament to the democratic development of the country."

For the 31 October parliamentary elections, the OSCE PA will work closely with 27 long-term observers and the 13-member core team from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights who are already in the country and observers from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), as well as the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA).

Observers will pay particular attention to the campaign environment, the legal framework, election administration, election day procedures, and media coverage. They will deliver the post-election statement of preliminary findings and conclusions at a press conference in Tbilisi on 1 November.

For previous OSCE PA assessments of Georgian elections, please click here.
Watch a video on OSCE PA election observation here.