ISFED/GORBI Study of Citizen Attitudes and Knowledge on Election Issues Funded by The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) Technical Assistance Provided by The National Democratic institute (NDI)

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, Poll methodology  1394 face to face interviews with randomly selected adult respondents in Georgia  Multi-stage, stratified sample design  Surveyed between February 18 – 25 and March , 2006  Based on these results, one can say with 95% confidence that the maximum error attributable to sampling and other random effects is ± 2.6 percent.

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, Major Findings  Respondents said they will participate in elections despite lingering mistrust in the fairness of elections  Citizens say they are committed to participate in elections, as long as they believe their vote matters and it will lead to changes. If not, they say they will not vote.

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, How important is participation in elections for citizens?  Young people and those with lower levels of education, are less likely to believe participation is important Very important63.3 Somewhat important22.0 Not important8.3 Not important at all4.9 DK/NA1.5

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, How likely is that you will vote in local elections which may be held in autumn 2006?  Young people slightly less likely to participate in local government elections Very likely34.0 Likely39.4 Somewhat unlikely10.4 Will not vote5.6 DK/NA10.6

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, If likely, why? (more than one answer provided) I think my vote matters56.2 I am afraid that someone else might use my vote27.4 I hope that good candidates will be running20.2 Other48.8 DK/NA1.2 I do not trust the election administration28.8 I think my vote will not change anything38.5 I voted many times, but nothing changed15.5 Other49.3 DK/NA6.3 If not likely, why? (more than on answer provided)

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, Describe your level of trust in the accuracy and fairness of election results in Georgia Lowest level of trust – Highest level of trust – DK/NA1.5 Mean score – 2.85

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, After voting you are sure that no one knows who you voted for?  Young people are less likely to believe their ballot is secret Strongly Agree24.3 Agree44.1 Disagree17.1 Strongly disagree2.7 DK/NA11.7

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, Major Findings  A significant percentage of citizens has misconceptions about the current method of elections for Parliament and local government

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, Who elects the President of Georgia? Parliament4.7 Government6.2 Citizens84.0 Political Parties2.1 Non- governmental Organizations0.4 International Organizations1.2 Other0.1 DK/NA1.3

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, Who elects the Parliament of Georgia? President5.0 Government15.4 Citizens70.1 Political Parties4.4 Non- governmental Organizations0.7 International Organizations0.4 Other0.1 DK/NA3.8

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, Who elects local self- government (Sakrebulo)? President3.8 Parliament5.0 Government19.3 Citizens60.6 Political Parties3.5 Non- governmental Organizations0.1 International Organizations0.4 DK/NA7.3

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, Who elects Gamgebeli/Mayors? President13.2 Parliament4.0 Government17.8 Sakrebulos9.9 Citizens46.6 Political Parties2.0 International Organizations0.5 Other0.2 DK/NA6.0

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, Major Findings  Trust in the election administration in Georgia has declined since 2004  Those who do not trust the election administration say this is because of previous vote fraud and partisan behavior

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, How much do you trust election administration in Georgia?  Young people and people with higher levels of education are less likely to trust the election administration Strongly trust8.3 Trust47.0 Distrust28.6 Strongly distrust9.1 DK/NA7.1

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, If trusted what is the reason? If don't trust, what is the reason? (more than one answer possible for each question) It conducts fair count/elections 31.5 It is objective36.3 It is not corrupted14.8 It is professional6.2 It is transparent17.9 Other2.3 DK/NA6.4 It falsified elections in the past 41.2 It is not objective and non-partisan 33.9 It is corrupted 12.1 It is not professional 15.6 It is not transparent 21.3 Other 3.5 DK/NA 4.1

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, OSCE / GORBI Results from 2004 Do you trust Election Administration in Georgia? Yes69.0 No16.0 DK/NA15.0

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, Major Findings  Respondents believe the participation of political parties in election administration leads to greater fairness and reduces fraud

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, Do you think that participation of political party members in election commissions: (More than one answer possible) Ensures objectivity and non-partisanship of election officials24.5 Prevents political influences on election administration16.9 Raises the level of their professionalism12.9 Decreases objectivity and non-partisanship6.4 Increases political influences on election administration10.5 Lowers the level of their professionalism2.7 Decreases election fraud21.4 Increases election fraud6.7 Has no influence on the election process7.7 Other1.4 DK/NA16.0

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, Do political parties have a right to nominate members to Election Commissions? CEC Yes61.7 No10.6 DK/NA27.7 DEC Yes58.4 No10.9 DK/NA30.7 PEC Yes60.5 No9.9 DK/NA29.6

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, Who do you think appoints the CEC? President18.9 Parliament18.4 Government29.4 Positional parties8.7 Oppositional parties0.8 All political parties with consensus7.7 Voters4.9 Non governmental organizations0.1 Election commissions7.5 DK/NA16.7

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, Who do you think appoints the DEC? President6.0 Parliament7.3 Government28.3 Positional parties9.2 Oppositional parties0.6 All political parties with consensus6.2 Voters5.0 Non governmental organizations0.1 Election commissions17.4 Other0.1 DK/NA24.2

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, Who do you think appoints the PEC? President4.6 Parliament3.4 Government25.3 Positional parties8.0 Oppositional parties0.8 All political parties with consensus5.1 Voters8.7 Non governmental organizations0.2 Election commissions22.9 Other0.3 DK/NA22.8

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, Major Findings  Citizens do not know who is responsible for maintaining voter lists and almost 1/3 of respondents said the quality of voter lists is low

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, How would you evaluate the quality of voter lists in Georgia? Lowest level of quality Highest level of quality 56.2 DK/NA4.8

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, Do you plan to register and check your name in the voter list before upcoming local elections? Yes47.5 No37.6 DK/NA14.9

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, Which body maintains voter lists? Local government53.3 Ministry of Justice9.2 Election administration46.0 Ministry of Interior7.5 International Organizations3.2 Local NGOs4.7 Other0.1 DK/NA7.7

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, Major Findings  Respondents have a relatively low level of knowledge about the structure, the authorities and the responsibilities of local government and they do not know who will be elected in up-coming local elections

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, Who will you be electing during local elections in autumn of 2006? Village Sakrebulo29.2 Village Gamgebeli20.6 Rayon Sakrebulo15.0 Rayon Gamgebeli12.6 Town Sakrebulo24.7 Town Gamgebeli15.5 Regional Sakrebulo2.3 Regional Gamgebeli3.5 Other0.9 DK/NA22.4

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, Do you understand the new structure of local self-government in Georgia? Yes7.0 No67.8 Partially15.3 DK/NA9.9

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, Do you understand the new rights and responsibilities of different branches of local self-government? Yes3.6 No72.0 Partially14.6 DK/NA9.8

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, Major Findings  There are significant gaps in citizens’ awareness of basic election procedures designed to promote fair elections and prevent election fraud  Citizens want more information about election procedures, candidates and parties

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, Do you have the right to vote without identification documents in an extraordinary situation? Yes15.8 No72.6 DK/NA11.6

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, Where should voting take place? At any place inside the precinct8.0 By the registration table3.3 By the ballot box12.7 Inside the secret booth77.6 By the table of the commission secretary3.5 Other0.1 DK/NA1.8

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, Do you have right to change your precinct and move your voting right? Yes34.1 No38.4 DK/NA27.6

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, Can representatives of local government be at the precinct during voting and counting? Yes28.8 No47.6 DK/NA5.7

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, Can representatives of the police be at the precinct during voting and counting? Yes 49.8 No 26.5 Only in special cases 13.1 DK/NA 10.7

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, According to current legislation is marking of voters obligatory? Yes64.2 No26.4 DK/NA9.4

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, Do you think it is possible to register and add yourself in the voter list on Election Day? Yes49.3 No32.3 DK/NA18.4

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, Which information would you like to receive about the upcoming elections? (more than one answer accepted) Detailed and objective information about participants of the elections 36.7 Detailed information about election procedures, voting and election law 22.3 A complete list of blocs, parties and independent candidates 16.3 Complete list of candidates from all parties, a list of their actions and activities 19.3 Other48.3 DK/NA14.5

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, Major Findings  Respondents overwhelmingly said election monitoring is necessary to prevent election fraud

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, Do you think domestic election observation is necessary? Yes90.4 No3.3 DK/NA6.3

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, If yes, why? (more than one answer possible) The new election administration does not enjoy public Trust 12.3 Elections were largely falsified in the past29.3 Elections in Georgia might be falsified again30.3 Observers put pressure on election officials5.4 Observers often know more about election legislation than election officials 14.7 I trust election observers more than election administration 12.6 Election observers can prevent fraud37.7 Other0.6 DK/NA1.6

ISFED and GORBI Thank you for your attention