On Tuesday, Razhden Kuprashvili, Head of the Anti-Corruption Bureau of Georgia, called on international observer organizations, including the US-based National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Republican Institute (IRI), to disclose information about the grants they issue. He stressed that transparency is vital to ensure that “funded events are not used to support political parties” in the lead-up to the October parliamentary elections.
“In the current electoral process, the role of international monitoring organizations is crucial,” Kuprashvili said. “Therefore, we urge all organizations, including the National Democratic Institute and the International Republican Institute, to ensure transparency of the grants they issue, to prevent these funds from being used to support political parties. Neutrality and objectivity are crucial for election monitoring organizations.”
Kuprashvili also announced that all election subjects must submit documentation showing their financial status for the first eight months of this year by August 31. He emphasized that the Bureau is “ready to provide consultations” to political parties and assist them in meeting legal requirements ahead of the October 26 vote.
He expressed concern that a “large number” of domestic opposition parties were not fully disclosing their funding, following the Bureau’s recent financial monitoring report. “Election campaigns and activities might be being funded by foreign donor organizations or other sources,” Kuprashvili claimed.
he Anti-Corruption Bureau’s monitoring revealed that several political parties, including European Georgia – Movement for Freedom, Yes to Europe – Strategy Aghmashenebeli, United National Movement, Girchi – More Freedom, Strong Georgia, Lelo, and Elene Khoshtaria, were failing to fully disclose their funding. Kuprashvili alleged that these funds could be being used to support NGOs affiliated with opposition parties, posing a “threat to a fair election process.”
Earlier this week, Politico published an article titled, ‘The European Union warns Georgia not to ban opposition parties.’
Politico quotes European Commission spokesman Peter Stano as saying that “Brussels is concerned about plans to ban ‘Dream’ opposition parties.”
“Opposition parties, an active civil society and an independent media are essential to ensure the accountability of governments and the protection of democratic values,” Stano said, adding that pluralism “is a central pillar of the EU accession process.”
By Team GT
