Head of the Central Election Commission of Turkmenistan met with representatives of the Supreme Electoral Council of the Republic of Turkey
On March 10, 2022, Gulmyrat Muradov, the head of the of apparatus of the Commission for holding Elections and referendums in Turkmenistan met with Muharram Akkaya, head of the Supreme Electoral Council of the Republic of Turkey, and Ali Urker, member of the Supreme Electoral Council of the Republic of Turkey, who arrived in our country as international observers. About this reports website of Central Commission for Holding Elections and Referendums in Turkmenistan.
The head of the Central Election Commission of Turkmenistan said that he was pleased to see representatives of the friendly state in Turkmenistan as international observers, informed them about conduct and preparation works on elections on March 12, 2022 as well as introduced the provisions of the electoral law.
At the end of the meeting, the representatives of the Supreme Electoral Council of the Republic of Turkey, our fraternal state, wished the head of the Central Election Commission of Turkmenistan organized helding of the important political and public event on March 12.
The CEC Chairperson Calls on Voters to Actively Participate in Elections
Today, Giorgi Kalandarishvili, Chairperson of the Central Election Commission of Georgia held a conclusive news briefing.
“On October 30, the second round of municipal elections will be held. You will elect the mayors at 5 self-governing cities and 15 municipalities, and 42 majoritarian members at 24 election districts. I would like to call on the voters registered in those election districts wherein the second round of elections are being held to be active from 08:00 am, visit the election precincts, realize your constitutional right and participate in polling.
1830 election precincts are opened for the second round of elections, in addition, 8 election precincts created in exceptional cases will serve the voters, and 29 special polling stations which will serve the voters placed in intensive care units and isolation.
The total number of voters for the second round of elections constitutes 2 088 722.
On E-day, you will find the polling booths with a renewed design that has the cut from the front side, so that the secrecy of polling is ensured. We would like to remind you that voting is secret and photo-video shooting at the polling booth is prohibited. During the October 2 elections, redesigned ballot booths were used only in Tbilisi, and thereafter the CEC decided to utilize them at all election precincts for the second round of elections.
Similar to the October 2 elections, voting will be conducted by using electronic technologies at 31 election precincts of the N4 Krtsanisi election district.
By the CEC decision, the video recording of vote counting procedures will be conducted at all 1750 election precincts where the number of registered voters exceeds 300. Recounting of election results of randomly selected polling stations will be also recorded.
I would like to underline, that registration was prolonged for all observer and media organizations registered for the October 2 elections. Electoral stakeholders will monitor the October 30 elections with an increased number.
5 309 representatives of electoral subjects, 35 198 observers of local observer organizations, and 1 102 observers of 52 international observer organizations are registered for the second round of elections, and 3 711 representatives of 119 media organizations will cover the upcoming elections.
I will take this opportunity to call upon the election commissions at all levels not to spare any effort and to hold the second round of elections with high responsibility and professionally.
Well-conducted elections - are an indicator of the level of democracy in the country - in which all employees of the Election Administration, all election administrators, participate equally, and all their roles are equally important. Our team works diligently and will continue their work on E-day to ensure voters cast their votes in a safe and free election environment.
I would like to call upon the observers to monitor the election process accurately and evaluate the process and E-day objectively. I urge the media to cover the process widely, impartially, and in detail and deliver complete and objective election-related information to citizens. I would like to also appeal to the members of political parties to join us and together with election administrators and precinct election commission members support a peaceful election environment.
Please note that on October 30 you will find a COVID-safe environment. All COVID-19 regulations will be followed and you will have a possibility to cast vote in an electoral environment safe for your health”.
PACE to observe the parliamentary elections in Georgia
A 9-member delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), led by Tiny Kox (Netherlands, UEL), will travel to Georgia from 29 October to 1 November to observe the conduct of the parliamentary elections, alongside observers from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, NATO Parliamentary Assembly and OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
The delegation will meet, in particular, representatives of political parties, the Chairperson of the Central Election Commission, as well as representatives of civil society and the media, before observing the ballot on 31 October.
A representative of the Venice Commission – the Council of Europe's group of independent legal experts – will provide legal support during the visit.
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A joint press conference is scheduled in Tbilisi on Sunday 1 November (place and time to be confirmed).
OCTOBER 30/ SECOND ROUND OF PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN 50 MAJORITARIAN ELECTION DISTRICT
Staff members of Central Election Commission (CEC) of Georgia conducted another information campaign in Tbilisi. They informed citizens regarding the Second Round Elections of Parliament to be held on October 30. The CEC members during their campaign at the renovated Agmashenebeli Avenue handed the information leaflets to citizens and urged them to participate in the elections.
STATISTICS ON ANNULLED BALLOT PAPERS ACCORDING TO THE ELECTIONS HELD IN GEORGIA SINCE 2002
The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Georgia prepared the statistics of the annulled ballot papers according to elections held in Georgia since 2002. The data covers average percentages of the annulled ballot papers.
According to the preliminary data (as of 18 October), the average percentage of the annulled ballot papers during the 2016 Parliamentary Elections held through proportional election system is 3.43%. As for the elections held through the Majoritarian election system, the average percentage of the annulled ballot papers is 4,11%. The final data will be published after officially summarizing the election results of the Parliamentary Elections.
THE CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION SHARES THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ELECTION PROCESS AND VOTER TURNOUT AS OF 12:00 PM
The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Georgia shared the information about the election process and voter turnout. As of 12:00pm the voter turnout is 19,81 % (695 948 voters). According to Ana Mikeladze, the CEC Spokesperson, polling is taking place in a calm environment. Ms. Mikeladze presented the information about procedural shortcomings at some election precincts:
“Various procedural shortcomings took place at N14 Didube election precinct. The commission will make explanatory note and if necessary, the upper level District Election Commission will examine the issue in accordance with the legislation and respond accordingly”.
The information was disseminated, as if the N8 Didube election precinct did not have a log book. Though, the released information appeared to be false.
The information was also released that one of the majoritarian candidate was not included in the ballot paper at one of the election precinct in Lagodekhi DEC. Possibly, an error has occurred while binding the ballot papers in a form of a notebook at the printing house and the ballot papers of majoritarian election districts of Dusheti and Lagodekhi were mixed. In total there were only 2 such notebooks. Currently, the motioned inaccuracy is already eliminated, though the commission will discuss the issue about the ballot papers which were intended for Dusheti election district and was used at Lagodekhi and will make relevant decision according to the legislation.
An information was disseminated that observers at №21, №58, №59, №60 and №61 Gardabani election precincts were deprived of the right to observer election process. We have verified the mentioned information and it appeared to be false”- stated Ana Mikelade. The next informational briefing at the CEC will be held at 15:30 pm.
CEC HOSTED MEMBERS OF POLISH SENATE
Tamar Zhvania, Chairperson of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Georgia along with the Election Administration (EA) officials hosted the members of Polish Senate. Tamar Zhvania, delivered information about the pre-electoral environment and preparation process for the upcoming parliamentary elections. Delegation received the information on significant election procedures, including counting procedures and composition of precinct election commissions.
The CEC Chairperson emphasized the role of observers in the election processes and stated that, compared to the previous years number of local and international observers and media organizations has increased. Members of Polish Senate will observe voting procedures at various election precincts on October 8.
CEC STATEMENT ON THE RULE FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATION/COMPLAINTS ON E-DAY
The Central Election Commission of Georgia (CEC) addresses to the representatives of election subjects and registered local observer organizations monitoring the October 8, 2016 Parliamentary Elections regarding the submission of application/complaints on E-day: The representatives of the election subjects as well as registered observers are entitled to apply to the relevant Precinct Election Commissions (PEC) on E-day and submit the application/complaint immediately after revealing the procedural violations.
If it is not possible to submit the complaint to the relevant PEC or the revealed violation is not eliminated, the appellant is entitled to apply to the upper District Election Commission (DEC) regarding the same violation. Please take into consideration, that any complaint submitted at the CEC on the violation revealed at the election precinct will not be discussed.
The representatives of the election subjects and registered observers also have the right to appeal violations fixed during the vote counting procedures and summarizing election results on polling day. They may submit the complaint to the PEC, which shall convey it to the relevant DEC within two calendar days. The DEC shall discuss the complaint in two calendar day after its registration.
Authorized entities may appeal summary protocols within two days to the upper level election commission. DEC ordinances on PEC decisions regarding poling day procedures and summary protocols can be appealed within two days at the relevant regional or city courts.
Tamar Jvania met with the Ambassador of Great Britain
Tamar Zhvania, Chairperson of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Georgia met with H.E. Justin McKenzie Smith, Ambassador of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Georgia.
Preparation process for the upcoming parliamentary elections and pre-electoral environment were discussed at the introductory meeting. Tamar Zhvania underlined, that the Election Administration is ready to conduct free, credible, transparent elections in line with international standards.
“H.E. Justin McKenzie Smith, Ambassador of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Georgia visited the CEC for the first time. The Ambassador visited the country a few weeks ago and showed interest in the current processes related with elections. H.E. Justin McKenzie Smith expressed his great support for conducting the elections in a peaceful environment and active participation of voters in electoral processes. The meeting was very important and productive. I am confident that the support of the British Embassy to Georgia, as well as the support of all international observers for transparency and electoral processes will be completely positive for the elections in Georgia” – stated Tamar Zhvania to journalists after the meeting.
H.E. Justin McKenzie Smith singled out the importance of elections with media – “I think, that these elections will be of high importance for Georgia and its citizens. I also hope, that the electoral environment will remain peaceful and there will be active participation on E-day”- stated the Ambassador.
THE CEC MEETING WILL BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 28 AT 19:00
THE CEC MEETING WILL BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 28 AT 19:00
The Election Administration of Georgia is an independent administrative body, which, within its authority, is free of any influence from other state bodies and acts according to the Constitution (of Georgia) and the Electoral Code of Georgia.
The Election Administration ensures the preparation and conduct of referendum, plebiscites, and elections of the President of Georgia, the Parliament of Georgia, local self-government representative body – Sakrebulo, and of a local self-government executive body - Mayor/Gamgebeli, controls the fulfillment of requirements of the electoral legislation on the whole territory of Georgia and its uniform application.
