Alain Avril

In the 2024 parliamentary elections in Georgia, Georgian Dream (GD)-affiliated media, TV Imedi, reported the involvement of 76 international observation organizations and over 1,700 observers. However, an analysis of the media coverage revealed several key issues: the media consistently highlighted the "international" label without providing details about the observers' credentials or affiliations; they often only mentioned their countries of origin (e.g., France, Germany); the reports were also marked by inconsistent or erroneous naming, with some individuals being referred to by multiple identities or misspelled names, complicating verification; and these statements were widely shared on social media, particularly Facebook, where posts with eye-catching cards featuring the observers' comments gained significant traction, further shaping public perceptions of the election.

In the 2025 local elections in Georgia, media and official reports highlighted the presence of international observation delegations, including participants from Hungary, France, Poland, Italy, Malta, the United Kingdom, the United States, Belarus, and Uzbekistan. However, analysis of the coverage revealed several key issues: genuine citizen observers were absent for the first time in nearly two decades, and credible international monitoring was minimal and invited too late to be meaningful; many of the observers were politically biased “fake observers” who endorsed the official election process and reinforced narratives favorable to the ruling Georgian Dream party. Most of these observers were accredited via state bodies, minor organizations, or using irregular credentials, giving the appearance of legitimacy. Independent organizations concluded that fundamental conditions for free, fair, and competitive elections - including respect for rights, stability of electoral law, and procedural guarantees - were largely unmet, with reports of violent crackdowns on protests and restrictions on civil society further undermining credibility.