The Chair of the delegation to the EU-Georgia Parliamentary Association Committee Marina Kaljurand (S&D, EE) has said that no matter who wins the parliamentary elections scheduled for October 31 in Georgia, the country must take this chance to regain its title as the frontrunner among our Eastern Partners.

“Georgia finds itself at a historic moment. In early July, the Parliament of Georgia adopted the election reform package –the fruit of more than one year of discussions that culminated with the 8 March agreement between the ruling GD coalition and the opposition. It was a major leap forward as a number of legislative improvements were passed, in line with key OSCE/ODIHR recommendations. The upcoming parliamentary elections will be a moment of truth. All eyes will be turned on Georgia and we will assess whether its commitment to uphold democratic process and the rule of law is lasting and sincere. To put it bluntly, no matter who wins these elections, Georgia must take this chance to regain its title as the frontrunner among our Eastern Partners”, MEP Kaljurand told the Accent.

COVID-19 pandemic is worsening globally, including Georgia. But she said that there is no ground to postpone the 31 October elections.

“It is true that, in the past few weeks, the Covid-19 situation has taken a turn for the worse, but this observation has to be considered in its proper context. Until now, the Georgian authorities' handling of the Covid-19 crisis has been exemplary. The recent rise in the numbers of infections and deceases is of course worrying, but these numbers went up from remarkably low levels. Besides, while the situation is relatively alarming in Tbilisi, Adjara and Imereti, other regions are spared by this new wave. Personally, I agree with the authorities that sporadic restrictive measures are sufficient for the moment, rather than a national lockdown, and I see no ground to postpone the 31 October elections. The pre-election environment is overall satisfying, many parties have proposed their political programmes and engaged in substantial debates –these are already considerable achievements,” she said.

As MEP Kaljurand noted, the OSCE /ODIHR decided to limit its elections observation mission to long-term observation only, but long-term observers will continue their work and deliver an assessment of the electoral process.

“I have learnt last week that, based on a shortfall in the number of short-term observers provided by OSCE States due to the Covid-19 pandemic and associated travel and health restrictions, the OSCE /ODIHR decided to limit its elections observation mission to long-term observation only. I note that it does not only concern Georgia, but also Moldova and Ukraine, where elections are to be held, too. We have to put people's health first. It may be regrettable, but we should not forget that long-term observers will continue their work and deliver an assessment of the electoral process,” she said.

As for Georgia’s Central Election Commission’s (CEC) Resolution on special voting procedures for hospitalized COVID-19 patients, as well as for quarantined and self-isolated voters in the parliamentary elections, MEP Kaljurand said that “under the current circumstances, these are right solutions.”

“When it comes to quarantined and self-isolated citizens, it is important to protect both their civil rights and public health. I understand that the Georgian authorities are now working on the possibility to allow the quarantined and self-isolated citizens to vote on 30 October in "ad hoc" voting stations or by mobile voting, which I think are, under the current circumstances, right solutions. Also, the establishment of dedicated polling stations in wide-open spaces and with the highest standards of hygiene precaution, would enable to vote while minimising the risk of exposure of others,” she added.

On October 31, the citizens of Georgia will elect 150-member parliament through a mixed electoral system with 120 deputies elected through proportional-party lists and 30 lawmakers elected as majoritarians from single-mandate constituencies.

/Marika Chubinidze