US congratulates Georgia on election, notes political pressure at local level

The US congratulates the citizens of Georgia on their peaceful presidential election, the State Department announced on Monday, while noting reports of "political pressure at the local level. "We witnessed another historic day for all Georgians and an important step in Georgia's democratic development and its embrace of Euro-Atlantic institutions," the announcement said. "This election clearly represented the will of the people." The US supports the OSCE's (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) international election observation mission and its assessment that the election was "efficiently administered, transparent and took place in an amicable and constructive environment," the department said. "However, we also note the assessment's concerns, including allegations of political pressure at the local level. Now that the people have spoken, we call on all the candidates to act in accordance with democratic norms and submit any election grievances to the election administration," it added. US officials urge authorities in Georgia to conduct the final count and address any appeals transparently and in full accordance with the rule of law, the statement said. "We encourage all parties to work together constructively to promote Georgia's political stability and strengthen its civil society to advance its democratic and economic development," it said. "We look forward to working with the president-elect, the government, Parliament and the people of Georgia to build upon our strong strategic partnership, to foster Georgia's Euro-Atlantic aspirations and to continue to support a brighter future for the Georgian people," it said