After the first round of the presidential election, an increase in the number of instances of alleged vote buying and misuse of administrative resources has been especially noticeable. It is important that the relevant state institutions investigate these instances promptly so that the pre-election environment is not damaged.

Transparency International Georgia periodically receives information about such cases from its long-term observers in various regions. Below, you will find more detailed information about the cases we have been made aware of:

In the compact settlements of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Rustavi, the Georgian Dream coordinators have been offering IDPs to submit to the Public Service Hall a request for social assistance addressed to the Minister of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Protection. According to our source, the coordinators are trying to convince them that, in exchange for voting for Salome Zurabishvili, they will receive social assistance on the basis of the minister’s order On the Approval of the Procedure of Issuing Financial Assistance.

In the village of Akhali Abastumani of the Zugdidi Municipality, Zaza Kadaria, a representative of the Zugdidi mayor, promised several voters that they might receive social assistance in exchange for voting [for Zurabishvili].

In the Matskhovriskari district of Zugdidi, some residents received GEL 50 each to vote for Zurabishvili.

We call on the State Audit Office and the Chief Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia to look into these cases and carry out corresponding measures.