The Center For Development and Democracy (CDD) implemented monitoring of the Extraordinary Elections of the governor of Gardabani Municipality of 28 January 2016. CDD observing mission was composed of 20 accredited observers, including 4 mobile groups. The observers were distributed to precinct and district election commissions and observed the polling day procedures, which included: opening of the precinct, polling process, closing the precinct and summarizing the results. The mission also observed No 64 election precinct created in exceptional case, located in Vaziani.
Based on the information provided by CDD observing mission, the polling day mostly went in calm environment. In the most of election precinct polling underwent in accordance with the procedures provided by the law. All precincts were closed on time at 20.00. Due to relatively low turnout of voters, election precincts timely counted votes, summarized polling results and submitted electoral documentation to the district.
Number of voters, who wanted to vote by mobile box was high, in some cases even exceeded 3% of the voters registered on particular precinct - the norm provided by the law. This often provides grounds for doubt and makes arguable reasonability of applying for mobile box.
On polling day CDD observers recorded the following violations:
Opening election precinct and voting procedure: delay of opening election precincts; errors in filling control sheet; improper processing of election documents; presence of unauthorized persons on polling stations; agitation on territory of election precinct; failure of inking device; violation of the procedure for voting by mobile box and other violations of voting procedure.
Besides, some cases were recorded, when the voter coming on election precinct saw the signature already made next to his/her name in table list, which basically was caused by the registrar’s inadequate adherence to polling procedures.
Closing election precinct and summarizing polling results: violation of the rule for counting ballot papers; incomplete filling of summary protocol; incompliance between the number of ballot papers (total of given votes and invalid ballots) and total number of voters participated in polling.
Members of precinct election commission were not adequately informed about the procedure of revealing the representatives of electoral subjects defined by the CEC decree by casting of lots, which caused uncertainty in revealing the counters in vote counting process.
Certain election documentation (special stamp of precinct election commission, polling day logbook, registration book, applications/complaints, ballot paper block notes and so on) was not sealed in accordance with respective rule, while being submitted by election commissions, which represents important gap in implementation of electoral procedures and imposes threat to validity of polling results.
The CDD observers recorded the cases of missing voters in the list, among them were IDPs, who were not recorded on any of the election precincts. Although mentioned persons with ID documentation applied to election precincts and then to election districts for realization of the right granted by the Constitution, they could not vote. State Services Development Agency shall actively continue the process of identification and registration of the voters missing in the voters’ list, as well as work on problematic addresses and the voters removed from the registration due to other reasons.
Besides, there were cases when the voters applied to election precinct but did not find themselves in in the list (they were included in the voters’ list of the precinct located nearby). It would be desirable if voters are checked in the list electronically and informed like previous years.
Unfortunately, faulty practice of mobilizing so called “coordinators” and supporters on election precinct territory is still continued. Such mobilization causes tension and increases the risk of confrontation and provocation between electoral subjects. Example of which was the facts of verbal and physical confrontation on election precincts No 2, No 4 and No 62 of Gardabani election precinct; however, such incidents did not interrupt voting process. With the regard to mentioned the CDD called the parties engaged in the elections to keep calm and give opportunity to electoral administration for continuing work in normal conditions, for ensuring lawful results.
Cases of improper performance of duties by the members of electoral administration shall also be mentioned, which was caused by lack of knowledge of electoral procedures. Number of commissioners, who failed to attend trainings (coefficient of attendance of officials of commission was 89.4%, and of commissioners - 76%). Due to that it is important to introduce obligation for attendance of the trainings by the commissioners. Besides, it is necessary to restrict terms for withdrawal of commissioners and increase existing terms, in order to ensure proper preparation of commissioners. This will reduce number of violations on the elections, caused by lack of knowledge of procedures.
Besides, it is to be mentioned that the process of reception of electoral documentation by the district election commission was not organized properly. Strict adherence of instructions approved by the law and the decree of the CEC, by district election commissions is essential.
On polling day almost 15 calls were made on the CDD help line (790 333 111), regarding polling procedures and violation of electoral rights of the citizens, which were locally responded by our observers.
Based on the information provided by the Center For Development and Democracy, on 28 January 2016 polling process passed in organized manner in accordance with the procedures in No 21 Gardabani District and respectively was assessed positively by the observing mission.
