Georgia’s Central Election Commission faced protests and violence following the ruling Georgian Dream party’s controversial electoral victory. The head of the commission was attacked with paint as opposition groups claimed election manipulation and bias, amid international scrutiny over the legitimacy of the process and its implications for Georgia’s EU membership aspirations.
On Saturday, the head of Georgia’s Central Election Commission, Giorgi Kalandarishvili, was targeted during a meeting confirming the contentious results of the parliamentary elections held on October 26. During this gathering, the ruling Georgian Dream party was announced as having secured 53.93% of the vote. However, protests erupted outside the commission’s offices in Tbilisi, where numerous opposition supporters denounced the election results, citing widespread allegations of vote manipulation, which Georgian Dream officials emphatically refute. The session faced disruption when David Kirtadze, an opposition representative from the United National Movement party, hurled black paint at Kalandarishvili. Prior to this act, Kirtadze voiced that the official results failed to represent the electorate’s “true choice.” Kalandarishvili retorted that the presence of “pressure, bullying and personal insults” underscored the lack of substantial proof for claims of electoral fraud. Following this confrontation, Kalandarishvili was observed with a bandaged eye, asserting, “It once again becomes evident that there is no tangible proof indicating that the elections were manipulated.” International observers characterized the electoral atmosphere as “divisive,” noting incidents of bribery, double voting, and violence. Many citizens perceived the election as a critical referendum on Georgia’s aspirations for European Union membership. This perception intensified following the indefinite suspension of Georgia’s membership application by the EU in June, a decision linked to the controversial passing of a “foreign influence law” likened to Russian governmental practices. Critics argue that the Georgian Dream party, founded by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, has increasingly pursued authoritarian policies and aligned itself with Moscow’s agenda. These claims are further compounded by the party’s recent introduction of laws that echo Kremlin-style restrictions against free speech and LGBTQ+ rights. President Salome Zourabichvili, despite having a largely ceremonial role, has publicly dismissed the official election results, asserting that Georgia has succumbed to Russian pressures opposing its EU ambitions. She has called upon the United States and the EU for support in the ongoing protests against the election outcomes.
The parliamentary elections in Georgia have sparked intense debate and protests, particularly among opposition parties challenging the legitimacy of the results announced by the Central Election Commission. Georgia’s political climate has been increasingly polarized, with allegations of electoral fraud along with concerns regarding rising authoritarianism under the ruling party. The significance of these elections extends beyond domestic politics, relating directly to Georgia’s aspirations for closer ties with the European Union amidst intensified Russian influence in the region.
In conclusion, the turbulent aftermath of the recent parliamentary elections in Georgia reflects deep-seated divisions within the country and mounting accusations of electoral fraud. The incident involving the Central Election Commission’s chair being assaulted with paint underscores the high tensions present in the political landscape. As Georgia grapples with external pressures, particularly from Russia, and internal dissent over governance issues, international calls for a comprehensive electoral investigation echo the urgent need for transparency and legitimacy in democratic processes.
Original Source: www.cnn.com