ODIHR deployed an election observation mission for the parliamentary elections in Georgia on 2 November 2003. The mission remained in the country to observe the second round of elections on 23 November.

Long-term observation

ODIHR conducted a needs assessment mission (NAM) from 19 to 24 June 2003 in order to assess the conditions and preparations for the elections and to advise on the level of ODIHR involvement in the elections. The NAM was preceded by the first visit of Ambassador Christian Strohal, ODIHR Director, to Tbilisi.

Following a second assessment visit to Georgia in July, ODIHR called on OSCE participating States to increase their support for democratic elections in Georgia by deploying an enhanced election observation mission.

As a result, the first observer arrived in Tbilisi on 11 August in order to follow the parliamentary discussions on the composition of the Central Election Commission and on the adoption of amendments to the existing election legislation. In addition, it was decided to increase the number of long- and short-term observers, as well as the duration of the observation mission.

The mission, headed by Julian Peel Yates (United Kingdom), included 13 international staff based at the Tbilisi head office and 21 long-term observers deployed throughout the country. Two of these were recruited through a voluntary fund established to diversify the national composition of election observation missions.

The mission assessed the entire election process in terms of its compliance with international standards for democratic elections and national legislation. It focused on the election campaign, the legislative framework and its implementation, the media situation, the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies, and the resolution of election-related disputes.

Election day

ODIHR deployed some 400 short-term observers shortly before election day. The short-term observers were deployed across Georgia in teams of two to monitor the opening of polling stations, the voting, the counting of ballots, and the tabulation of results at all levels.

A number of parliamentarians from the Parliamentary Assemblies of the OSCE and the Council of Europe, as well as a delegation from the European Parliament, also took part in the mission as short-term observers.

The day after the election, the election observation mission issued a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions. A comprehensive final report will be released about a month after the completion of the election process.

Previous elections

ODIHR has observed a number of elections in Georgia, including the 2000 presidential election, the 1999 parliamentary election, and the 1995 presidential and parliamentary elections.