Following an internal audit of the results of the parallel vote tabulation (PVT) of the October 31 Parliamentary elections, ISFED released an update of their PVT result. The correction insignificantly altered the percentage points of votes received by the electoral subjects and the difference does not change the number of mandates secured by the electoral subjects.

According to ISFED, signs of possible vote buying and use of administrative resources during the reporting period continues to be the main challenge of the election environment. ISFED found use of administrative resources in involvement of the ruling party’s majoritarian candidates in events funded by the State and local budgets. It appears that the ruling Georgian Dream party is trying to use all available administrative resources for electoral purposes.

This report evaluates the political and media landscape in the country ahead of the 2020 Parliamentary elections. Although the adoption of constitutional amendments on the electoral system avoided further tension and protests, political polarization remains as a challenge. The media and political environment is very polarized and continues to face challenges related to media freedom and pluralism. It is likely that these factors will also influence pre-election campaigning.

During the reporting period, ISFED identified 19 cases of possible vote buying, including 16 by majoritarian members of the Georgian Parliament and 3 by the Movement for Future, 2 cases of possible use of state resources, 1 case of exerting pressure on ISFED observer, 2 cases of interference in political activities and one case of political pressure/intimidation.

CEC and the parliamentary legal affairs committee initiated a dubious bill in Parliament bypassing the electoral reform working group. This bill contains problematic provisions that could undermine transparency of elections by delaying public access to polling station protocols and opening up loopholes to bypass the vote buying regulations.

Multiple NGOs in Georgia, including EPDE member ISFED, continue to call on the ruling Georgian Dream party to adopt the promised proportional electoral system. The political environment is incredibly tense in the country and there is increasing polarization in the public, which will have a negative effect on the pre-electoral environment and the day of the Parliamentary elections.