STATEMENT: GEORGIAN FOUNDATION FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

STATEMENT ON EXIT POLL

The events of November 2–7 and subsequent developments have polarized Georgian society, yielding parlous conditions for conducting elections.
The discourse among contending political forces often exceeds the bounds of civility, and exacerbates the already tense political atmosphere. Political parties and their supporters harbor considerable distrust of their rivals that does not rule out, in case of any outcome of the elections, the defeated side manipulating the electoral process or staging provocations. Such actions may destabilize the state, and cause irreparable damage to its international reputation.
Accordingly, the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies (GFSIS) seeks to make the electoral process more transparent, by all available means. This was the primary motivation for the Foundation’s decision to accept the request, together with other institutions, to prepare and direct an exit poll. Along with our partners, we affirm that the exit poll will be conducted by the most highly regarded sociological organizations in Georgia, which have participated ably in previous elections. Foreign experts on exit-polling methodology and implementation will participate, and the exit polling will itself be monitored by respected and independent figures from civil society.
In spite of this commitment to fairness and accuracy, some political figures and their supporters express distrust of the exit poll and the motivations of those conducting it. This besmirches the reputation of GFSIS as a nonpartisan and independent think tank. The employees of GFSIS have a variety of political beliefs and sympathies; all consider it necessary to conduct an objective exit poll, no matter what the results may be. We recognize the skepticism that some hold about the exit poll, and appeal to all political actors to participate fully, at all stages of the exit poll. GFSIS believes that, whatever the outcome of the election, the exit-poll results will not be exploited for partisan political purposes.
As the election is imminent, GFSIS affirms that it will, along with its partner organizations, do its utmost to ensure the objectivity of the exit poll. Should there be a runoff election, and especially during the parliamentary elections, GFSIS is ready to put its experience and reputation towards promoting transparency of the electoral process.

January 3, 2008


3a Chitadze Street, Tbilisi, 0108, Georgia
Tel: (+995 32) 47 35 55 • Fax: (+995 32) 98 52 65 • http://www.gfsis.org