Alexander Rakov
Versions of names: Александр Раков
Netherlands
Alexander Rakov is based in the Netherlands and is the Regional Development Director at Smartmatic, a global leader in secure election technology. He has also been listed as Sales Vice President for Europe and as a Sales Manager at Smartmatic. Rakov has observed elections in Tbilisi and has been publicly quoted regarding Smartmatic’s role in supporting the Central Election Commission of Georgia in conducting electronic elections.
Corresponding elections
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.