OSCE election watchdog opens mission in Georgia

TBILISI, 6 December 2007 - The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, ODIHR, opened an observation mission today for the 5 January presidential election in Georgia following an invitation from the Foreign Ministry of Georgia.

"This election is held under extraordinary circumstances, in a tight timeframe and under a recently reviewed election law. We appreciate the invitation to observe it and look forward to co-operating with our Georgian partners," said Ambassador Dieter Boden of Germany, who heads the mission of 13 international staff based in Tbilisi and 28 long-term observers who will be deployed throughout the country.

The mission will assess the election for its compliance with principles for democratic electoral processes, including commitments agreed to by all 56 OSCE participating States, as well as national legislation.

The observers will closely monitor campaign activities, media coverage, the legislative framework and its implementation, the media, the work of the election administration and government bodies, and the resolution of election disputes.

The OSCE/ODIHR has requested that OSCE participating States send 300 short-term observers immediately prior to the 5 January election. The short-term observers will monitor the opening of polling stations, the voting, the counting of ballots and the tabulation of results.

Two non-binding referendums will also be held on 5 January. The OSCE/ODIHR mission will follow those only to the extent they may affect the presidential election.

The mission will work together with a team of short-term observers from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, which will be headed by Alcee Hastings, President Emeritus of the OSCE PA. The mission will also co-operate with parliamentary delegations from the Council of Europe and the European Parliament.

The OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission and the OSCE Mission to Georgia operate separately under their specific mandates.