Pro-opposition Mtavari Arkhi TV Director Nika Gvaramia said on Friday that 'Ipsos has discredited itself irreparably'.

"We are expressing our position with regard to the gross and unconscientious breach of contract by Ipsos yesterday, on 28 October:

The raw data from Zugdidi provided by Ipsos without additional weighting (known to us as allocation) are as follows:

Anzor Melia: 52.3%

Mamuka Tsotseria: 43.3%

Refused to answer / don’t know: 4.4%

1. It is hopefully easy to see that redistributing the remaining 4.4 percent in a manner that results in 49/51 in favor of the Georgian Dream candidate is absurd. Even if the 4.4 percent were added entirely to Tsotseria (which is already absurd in statistical terms). After receiving the figures, the only question we had was about a possible flaw in the data from the city of Zugdidi. We received an explanation regarding this issue via a telephone conversation, according to which it was probably a technical error, and we shouldbe guided by the data that we subsequently published. It was also explained to us that since the time left before publication was short, in order to avoid delays, we should consider consent over the telephone as confirmation, and that we would receive consent by e-mail after the fact (this has happened on many occasions during our partnership).

2. If we assume that Mtavari Arkhi decided to falsify the results, the following question arises: Did our biased approach extend only to the city of Zugdidi, where there is a consensus among the Georgian public that the opposition candidate is winning with the greatest advantage? Where the opposition candidate was only two percentage points short of winning in the first round, and where the biggest difference was recorded between the candidates from the United National Movement and the Georgian Dream? All the while leaving the minimal differences (within the margin of error) in all other cities intact, especially while leaving the opposition candidate three percentage points behind in Tbilisi –the most important location?

3. Even if that were the case, Ipsos has no right to publish any information without our consent. If they think that we either made a mistake or falsified the data, this issue must be discussed with the aim of clarifying the matter, which did not take place. In case of doubts with regard to our conscientiousness, the partner company could have immediately terminated the contract between us.

4. The margin of error indicated in the results published on the Ipsos website ranges between four and five percent. This is hypothetically impossible and not permitted by Georgian legislation, according to which this margin may not exceed three percent. Clearly, Ipsos is aware of this requirement, and this has always been part of the technical research protocol. The margin of error in the research methodology sent by them is within three percent, as required by law.

5. The information on the timing of the fieldwork presented in the statement also differs from the timelines provided to us by Ipsos.

6. The fact that television company Mtavari receives information about the position of its main partner company from a briefing held by the Georgian Dream raises significant doubts and is completely astounding. It is not difficult to imagine what we are dealing with in a Russian-style oligarchy. We express a reasonable suspicion that a corrupt deal has taken place. In the last few hours, we have been actively investigating this issue and we have obtained specific information – we have identified a person who is the main figure in this fraud, and we have also identified the specific reason that led to this unconscientious act.

7. Mtavari Arkhi believes that with this extremely suspicious behavior that clearly does not befit a partner, Ipsos has discredited itself irreparably. And a company with a damaged reputation can no longer be a reliable and trustworthy partner for us. All the more so during elections that are of existential importance to the country, and even more so when we are talking about exit polls.

8. We apologize to all the conscientious and highly competent employees of Ipsos, cooperation with whom was extremely effective, and a great honor. However, we regret that they were unable to stop these types of actions, including, among other things, the protection of the reputation of their company from unconscientious individuals.

9. Based on the above, we are terminating our partnership with Ipsos, which will no longer conduct exit polls on behalf of Mtavari Arkhi.

10. Unfortunately, we realize that this fraud was committed precisely in order to ensure that the exit polls were disrupted and the main mechanism for the prevention of election rigging no longer existed.

11. Unfortunately, it must also be said that entering into a contract with a new research organization in two days is virtually unimaginable. And this only serves the interests of the authorities, which is precisely why we were subjected to sabotage one day before the elections. Nevertheless, realizing that such actions by Georgian Ipsos have endangered Georgian Democracy, we are actively working on this issue in order to be able to conduct exit polls during tomorrow’s elections.

12. Mtavari Arkhi declares that such unconscientious actions by Ipsos that do not befit a partner will be appealed under the arbitration procedure established by the contract, where we will not only demand a refund of the amount paid but will also seek compensation for reputational damages and damages incurred as a result of the cancellation of exit polls.

13. Mtavari Arkhi also appeals to the investigative bodies of the relevant country to start investigating the signs of possible corruption in the actions of its specific citizen, as well as the possible participation of a Georgian citizen in a corrupt deal made on its territory.

14. Mtavari Arkhi will also inform all partner television companies, international media and human rights organizations, as well as private companies within the country that use Ipsos’ services about the company’s unreliability, unconscientiousness, and likely involvement in corrupt deals," Gvaramia said.