CEC approves final results of elections, opposition leaves session in protest

By Natalia Kochiashvili

Friday, December 4

“Political desire should not break the independent election administration” Zhvania announced.

“CEC will put an end to the final falsification of these elections and all ways to change the results will be formally closed, a political crisis will be signed,” Kapanadze said amid final approval of 2020 parliamentary election results.

The Central Election Commission has approved the final results of the 2020 parliamentary elections. CEC Chairperson Tamar Zhvania signed the election summary protocol. The session was accompanied by the protests of the opposition and civil activists. Representatives of the United National Movement - Davit Kirtadze, European Georgia - Davit Gurgenidze and the Alliance of Patriots - Khatuna Skhirtladze left the sitting in protest.

Gurgenidze posted a sign on the wall with the CEC logo: "Elections are rigged!" Zhvania recalled that Kirtadze and Gurgenidze did the same after the 2016 parliamentary elections, and despite accusations of the opposition, the elected parliament (9th convocation) operated for 4 years.

The CEC chairperson once again reminded us that the issue of legitimizing the 2020 parliamentary elections has not been put on the agenda by international partners.

According to Zhvania, everyone counted the votes together. Not only the members of the commission were present, but procedurally the representatives of the election subject also counted the votes together with the members of the commission and they participated in the counting process. These protocols are drawn up jointly, by all.

She also announced the message to any election administration, saying ‘no specific political demands and no specific political aspirations should be able to break the independent election administration’.

According to the CEC, as a result of the elections, the votes were finally distributed as follows: Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia - 48.22% proportional number of seats - 60. At the same time, according to the CEC results, Georgian Dream won the second round with in all 30 majoritarian constituencies and has a total of 90 seats.

The remaining 60 seats are divided into 8 opposition parties. National Movement-Power is in unity - 27.18%, number of seats - 36; European Georgia - 3.79%, number of seats - 5; Strategy Builder - 3,15% Number of seats - 4

Try - 3.15%, number of mandates - 4; Alliance of Patriots - 3.14%, number of seats - 4

Girchi - 2.89%, number of seats - 4; Citizens - 1.33%, number of seats - 2; Labor Party - 1% Number of seats - 1.

On November 21, the second round of the October 31 parliamentary elections in Georgia was formally held in the 17 constituencies where none of the candidates was able to cross the threshold. However, all the opposition parties, whose candidates are to run in the second round, have boycotted the elections, as well as entering parliament. According to the Central Election Commission, 100% of the votes have been counted. In fact, the Georgian Dream candidate won the single-party elections in all 17 constituencies.

The announcement of the results of the October 31, 2020 parliamentary elections was met with protests from opposition parties and voters. All opposition parties have boycotted the election results and none of them is included in the 10th convocation of the Georgian Parliament. The general demands of the opposition are: Tamar Zhvania's resignation, early, free elections and the release of all political prisoners.

Note that the issue of receiving funding was brought up following opposition’s protest. On 2nd of December CEC announced that the deadline for parties to send their answers regarding funding has expired and according to official letters of consent, despite boycott all parties that overcame the barrier agreed to receive budget funding for the party, except Girchi and Citizens.

Now the date of the first sitting of the 10th convocation parliament must be announced by the President of Georgia within 10 days. However, holding the first sitting still does not mean acquiring the full powers of the new parliament and recognizing the elected powers of the elected persons.

At the first sitting, the newly elected Parliament is authorized to start working if the majority of the full membership of the Parliament (at least 76 deputies) is present. But the parliament will acquire full power only after the recognition of the powers of two thirds of the members of the parliament (100 deputies) (and from this moment the power is terminated by the parliament of the previous convocation as well). The sitting will be adjourned if the authority of 100 deputies is not recognized; The next sitting is convened by the CEC chairperson within 10 days from the moment when it will be possible to fill the number of authorized deputies up to 100.