On September 13 and 14, pro-government broadcasters Imedi (1; 2), Rustavi 2 (1; 2; 3), and Adjara TV, along with news agencies (Newshub.ge; Prime Time; INFO9; Rezonansi) and Facebook pages (1; 2), reported that the OSCE/ODIHR plans to observe the elections in the Czech Republic on October 3-4, following an invitation received on September 2. Against this backdrop, they emphasized that the organization had declined to observe Georgia’s municipal elections scheduled for October 4. On Rustavi 2’s program Courier P.S., the anchor stated that ODIHR had cited the lack of time to conduct a Needs Assessment Mission as the reason for refusal – an explanation portrayed as puzzling, since in the past ODIHR had sent observers to other elections without such a mission. Beyond the media, pro-government expert Ghia Abashidze published a screenshot of Rustavi 2’s article, accusing ODIHR of “multiple standards.” Pro-government film director Goga Khaindrava also compared ODIHR’s behavior in the Czech Republic and Georgia, calling the organization a “shameful Euro-institution.”
Politicians likewise commented on the issue. MPs Giorgi Sosiashvili (12; 3) and Giorgi Gabunia (1; 2; 3) cited the Czech elections as an example and accused ODIHR of double standards. The chair of the parliamentary Legal Affairs Committee, Archil Gorduladze (1; 2), speculated that the organization was pressured by the “deep state.” MP Levan Machavariani (1; 2; 3) linked ODIHR’s decision to the “unprecedented pressure” that followed its positive report on the 2024 elections. Davit Kartvelishvili, a member of People’s Power (1; 2), claimed that ODIHR had applied double standards by overlooking the usual deadlines in the Czech case and still sending a small delegation to the country, while citing lack of time as the reason in the case of Georgia.
Information about the Czech elections and ODIHR’s mission is being spread manipulatively. ODIHR had information about the Czech government’s position months before the election. In May, a Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) concluded that an Election Assessment Mission (EAM) should be sent in October. Members of the mission were selected in August and September. By contrast, in Georgia, ODIHR determined that an Election Observation Mission (EOM) was necessary, which is a different type of mission and is deployed in a country 6-8 weeks before election day.
Georgia’s municipal elections are scheduled for October 4. The Georgian government invited ODIHR to observe the elections on September 6, a fact announced by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze at a government briefing.
On September 9, ODIHR announced it would not observe the elections. The statement explained that the invitation was received less than a month before election day. ODIHR Director Maria Telalian noted that credible and transparent election observation requires thorough preparation and access to all key stages of the electoral process, in line with the organization’s comprehensive methodology.
Already on September 6, Kobakhidze had expressed hope that despite “repeated insults and pressure,” the organization would not refrain from sending a mission. Following ODIHR’s September 9 announcement, pro-government media circulated Facebook posts (1; 2) claiming that the Prime Minister’s prediction had come true and ODIHR had yielded to pressure.
From September 13, reports circulated that ODIHR would observe the Czech parliamentary elections scheduled for October 3-4. According to those reports, the official invitation was received on September 2. The ruling Georgian Dream party, People’s Power, as well as pro-government media and experts, used the Czech example to argue that the organization applies double standards – accepting one invitation despite short deadlines while rejecting another, citing lack of time.
Notably, Rustavi 2’s social media card drawing a comparison between the OSCE/ODIHR missions in Georgia and the Czech Republic was sponsored.
Czech Parliamentary Elections
Reports about the Czech elections and ODIHR’s decisions are being spread manipulatively. Myth Detector contacted ODIHR for comment. Spokesperson Katya Andrusz confirmed that while the official invitation was indeed received from the Czech government on September 2, preparations had begun much earlier. According to her, the Czech government had consistently expressed readiness to host an observation mission.
Katya Andrusz: In the case of Czechia, the needs assessment mission determined that to effectively observe the Czech elections, an Election Assessment Mission was needed, and this is the format of observation mission that we are now deploying following a formal invitation from the authorities received on 2 September. The Czech Authorities maintained regular contact with ODIHR throughout the period between the needs assessment mission and the official invitation. In line with ODIHR’s methodology, election assessment missions are deployed two to three weeks ahead of election day.”
Over recent months, the organization carried out the necessary preparatory work. Already in May, ODIHR had sent a Needs Assessment Mission – NAM to the Czech Republic. The objective of the mission was to assess the pre-election environment and preparations. Additionally, the mission was to determine whether any election-related activity was needed, and if so, what type. Mission members held meetings with government officials as well as representatives of political parties, media, and civil society. The NAM concluded that for effective observation, an Election Assessment Mission – EAM should be deployed.
Based on this recommendation, ODIHR began recruiting EAM members in August and September, with the application deadline set for September 5.
Georgia’s Municipal Elections
Unlike in the Czech Republic, the Georgian government changed its initial position on inviting ODIHR. In June, the Prime Minister stated that except for extraordinary cases, it was not customary to invite ODIHR to municipal elections, and that burdening the organization with Georgia’s municipal elections would be unnecessary.
Furthermore, ODIHR assessed that the appropriate mission format for Georgia was an ElectionObservation Mission – EOM. According to Katya Andrusz, under ODIHR’s standards such missions are deployed 6-8 weeks before election day. Unlike EAMs, EOMs include not only a core team of experts but also short- and long-term observers. She added that ODIHR typically receives invitations 4-6 months in advance. Therefore, the late invitation from the Georgian government made it impossible to send such a mission.
Katya Andrusz: “In contrast to the findings of the pre-election needs assessment for Czechia, the election observation format determined for Georgia was an Election Observation Mission (the format of our observation to the 2024 parliamentary elections). In line with our comprehensive, impartial and systematic methodology, an Election Observation Mission is deployed six to eight weeks before election day… I would also like to emphasise the fact that while the Czech authorities have consistently expressed their willingness to invite us and to accept observation, the Georgian authorities publicly announced and reiterated their intention not to send an invitation for many weeks.”
Response from Katya Andrusz to Myth Detector’s question
Thus, comparing the Czech and Georgian cases is manipulative: ODIHR determined the need for different types of missions in each country; ODIHR and the Czech authorities had maintained contact for months; and the Czech government had never indicated an intention not to invite the organization. The two elections are being compared manipulatively to create the impression that ODIHR applies double standards.
The claim broadcast on Rustavi 2 that ODIHR cited lack of time to conduct a NAM is false. ODIHR’s statement explained that the reason was lack of time, but this prevented not the deployment of the NAM but the Election Observation Mission (EOM) in Georgia, which normally arrives 6-8 weeks before election day. According to ODIHR’s Election Observation Handbook, sending a NAM does not require an official invitation from the country.
Members of the ruling party (1; 2; 3) also recalled the 2008 presidential election, arguing that ODIHR had managed to assemble and deploy an observation mission within a month at that time.
Unlike the 2025 elections, however, the 2008 presidential elections were extraordinary. It is unclear exactly when the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia invited ODIHR, but it likely occurred earlier than in 2025, since by December 6, i.e., one month before election day, the organization had already deployed a mission of 41 experts and long-term observers in Georgia.
It should be noted that the Copenhagen Document establishes a standing invitation among all OSCE member states for election observation. However, in established practice, member states still issue official invitations within an appropriate timeframe to reconfirm readiness to host international observers (1; 2).
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