2018 Presidential Interim Report of Pre-Election Monitoring of Runoff

The monitoring was implemented nationwide with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). ISFED deployed nearly 70 long-term observers to monitor the pre-election period. The election campaign before the runoff was highly polarized and negative, with aggressive rhetoric intensifying between the first and second rounds. The ruling party representatives made alarming statements about threats of civil war and possible destabilization if the opposition candidate won. The independent candidate endorsed by the ruling party announced receiving death threats through messages. Media polarization was also evident, with Imedi TV announcing it would start operating in an "emergency mode" against the United National Movement and Grigol Vashadze, while Rustavi 2 TV clearly expressed support for the opposition candidate. ISFED found a total of 40 cases of intimidation/harassment, 1 case of threat against a presidential candidate, 3 cases of dismissal from work on possible political motive, 5 instances of physical confrontation, 13 cases of possible vote buying, 14 cases of misuse of administrative resources, 2 incidents of interference with pre-election campaign, 6 acts of damaging campaign materials, and 1 act of interfering with observer activities. Intimidation/harassment became widespread, with municipal officials and employees of non-profit entities being pressured to support Salome Zourabichvili. Physical confrontations also took place, with opposition activists and their supporters being subjected to physical violence. The pre-election period was marked by vote buying at an unprecedented scale, with the Prime Minister announcing the initiative to write off a total of GEL 1.5 billion worth of unpaid financial liabilities for 600,000 citizens of Georgia. ISFED observers reported that money was offered to voters in some municipalities in exchange for voting in favor of Salome Zourabichvili. The Government of Georgia and local authorities made extensive promises about social and infrastructural projects, which were seen as attempts to garner support for the ruling party's candidate. ISFED observed that five public movements became active during the runoff campaign, with the aim of carrying out a campaign against the UNM presidential candidate. These movements organized different events and campaign activities, creating suspicions that they were making donations in favor of Salome Zourabichvili. The movements' actions manifested in open support of the independent candidate endorsed by the ruling party and calls not to support the UNM candidate. High-level officials of the government and the ruling party are recommended to publicly distance themselves from political intimidation and possible acts of vote buying, urge their representatives and activists to cease all attempts of influencing voters, and refrain from unveiling large-scale initiatives during the electoral period. Law enforcement bodies are recommended to examine, investigate, and take adequate legal action in response to threats/intimidation on possible political grounds and alleged cases of vote buying. Political parties and electoral subjects are recommended to ensure transparency and accountability in their campaign activities.