On October 2nd, 2011, mobile observer groups from Transparency International Georgia (TI Georgia) monitored the Telavi by-election at 28 precincts of the 17th Telavi electoral district (#1 Nadikvari, #2 Gvirabi, #3 Dzveli Stadioni, #4 Zuzumbo, #5 Dzveli Galavani, #6 Matsantsara, #7 Kadori, #8 Kavkasioni, #10 Chavchavadze,#11 Rustaveli, #14 Zemo akura, #17 Vardisubnis zemo, #18 Vardisubnis kvemo, #19 Tetritsklebi, #20 Ikaltos zemo, #21 Kisiskhevis zemo, #26 Napareulis zemo, #29 siniori, #30 Artani, #32 Pshaveli, #37 Karajalis zemo, #38 Karajalis shua, #39 Karajalis kvemo, #41 Tsinandalis zemo, #42 Tsinandalis kvemo, #50 Napareulis kvemo, #52 Akuris kvemo, #53 Karajalis akhali).

On October 2nd, 2011, mobile observer groups from Transparency International Georgia (TI Georgia) monitored the Telavi by-election at 28 precincts of the 17th Telavi electoral district (#1 Nadikvari, #2 Gvirabi, #3 Dzveli Stadioni, #4 Zuzumbo, #5 Dzveli Galavani, #6 Matsantsara, #7 Kadori, #8 Kavkasioni, #10 Chavchavadze,#11 Rustaveli, #14 Zemo akura, #17 Vardisubnis zemo, #18 Vardisubnis kvemo, #19 Tetritsklebi, #20 Ikaltos zemo, #21 Kisiskhevis zemo, #26 Napareulis zemo, #29 siniori, #30 Artani, #32 Pshaveli, #37 Karajalis zemo, #38 Karajalis shua, #39 Karajalis kvemo, #41 Tsinandalis zemo, #42 Tsinandalis kvemo, #50 Napareulis kvemo, #52 Akuris kvemo, #53 Karajalis akhali).

TI Georgia’s observers attended procedures for the opening and closing of 9 polling stations (#2 Gvirabi, #3 Dzveli Stadioni, #17 Vardisubnis zemo, #18 Vardisubnis kvemo, #37 Karajalis zemo, #38 Karajalis shua, #39 Karajalis kvemo, #41 Tsinandalis zemo, #42 Tsinandalis kvemo).

No major irregularities were observed on the day of the election. Election commissions were working properly. Observers did not encounter any problems while performing their duties. The members and the representatives of the Central Election Commission and Telavi District Commission were very effective and cooperative in addressing some minor procedural defects (shortcomings).

Election turn-out was very low and in most cases did not exceed 30%, likely as a result of low interest in the MP by-election.

Some problems were identified at several precincts:

• In districts populated with ethnic minorities, voters were not informed about polling procedures. For example, at the Karajala polling station, a voter placed his identity card in the envelope along with his ballot. An observer notified the head of the electoral commission of the incident and the latter acted to rectify the problem immediately.
• At the #38 Karajala polling station, two representatives of the ruling party were observed holding the voters at the entrance, asking for their identities and conducting an alternative registration.

Despite the fact that the election generally went smoothly, it is very important that the Central Election Commission pay more attention to the training of election administration staff and informing potential voters of voting procedures. The upcoming 2012 parliamentary elections will probably be held according to the new election law currently under consideration in Parliament, and this law will most likely include some changes to election procedures as well. Due to the scale of the election, the Central Election Commission and District Administrations won’t be able to provide as much attention to individual precincts was the case with Sunday’s Telavi MP by-election. The upcoming changes and short time frame in which to adjust to them make it all the more important that the Central Election Commission devote sufficient resources toward educating voters and election administration staff.