On August 27, 2024, the President of Georgia appointed elections of the Parliament of Georgia for October 26, and accordingly the pre-election period has started.

This year, for the first time, parliamentary elections will be held in the country with a fully proportional system. This year's parliamentary elections are also important in the sense that for the first time in the history of Georgia, they will be held by electronic means, and almost 90% of voters will be able to use it. Conducting the upcoming parliamentary elections in a free, fair and peaceful environment is of particular importance for the country's democratic development and European integration. Thus, taking into account the extremely polarized pre-election period of the previous years' elections, as well as the threat of further polarization of the existing environment, the Public Defender of Georgia and the Central Election Commission, jointly as two independent constitutional institutions, want to call on all parties involved in the political and pre-election processes to contribute to the formation of an appropriate election environment.

Electoral integrity and a healthy electoral environment are fundamental to the functioning of a democratic society. However, when the electoral process is accompanied by the use of hate speech and personal attacks against those involved in the process, it directly weakens the electoral environment.

Unfortunately, during the election period, the election subjects actively incite discrimination of people on various grounds and use hate speech. In the past years, representatives and members of the election commissions had repeatedly become the targets of such attacks. In addition, political debates are characterized by insulting statements made by participants against each other. The sexist attitude towards women involved in political life is particularly obvious, which, in many cases, is used as a tool of political struggle against them. The Public Defender and the Central Election Commission emphasize that such facts are harmful and prevent the establishment of an equal and peaceful election environment.

In addition, the proper functioning of the election administration, along with the smooth conduct of the election processes, is of crucial importance for the formation of high public trust in these processes, which, in turn, is extremely necessary for the democratic development of the country. Taking into account the large-scale introduction of electronic technologies, as well as the indispensable role of the election administration in general, with the support of all parties, the election administration should be given the opportunity to fully fulfill its duties in a peaceful atmosphere and an environment free of hate speech.

It is necessary for the leaders/representatives of political parties, relevant candidates and their supporters, political officials to show high political and civil responsibility and contribute to the conduct of a pluralistic, violence- and hate speech-free election campaign. In order to introduce a political culture focused on democratic values, it is important that the election campaigns of the candidates be directed to a discussion focused on business, election programmes.

At the same time, the special role of the media in terms of controlling the free and fair conduct of the pre-election campaign is worth noting. It will be important for the media representatives, when covering the election campaigns, to provide appropriate explanations relating to the cases of the use of hate speech and to respond critically to similar facts.

In conclusion, preventing hate speech is necessary to ensure electoral integrity and to maintain a healthy electoral environment. In turn, this is a guarantee of justice, wide participation and constructive political discussion and protection of human rights.