Georgia's Opposition Rejects Election Results, Accusing Ruling Party of Fraud
By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, October 28, 2024
As of October 26, with over 99.97% of precincts counted, the ruling Georgian Dream party has claimed a majority in Georgia's parliamentary elections, securing 53.92% of the vote, as confirmed by the Central Election Commission (CEC). Meanwhile, opposition parties, collectively garnering 37.78%, have firmly rejected the results of the October 26 parliamentary elections, collectively accusing the ruling Georgian Dream party of widespread electoral fraud. Despite the Central Election Commission reporting that Georgian Dream received 53.93% of the vote, opposition parties claim the election results ignore the true will of the people.
The Unity National Movement, Georgia's largest opposition party, announced that it would not recognize the results or take seats in Parliament. Party Chair Tina Bokuchava expressed strong discontent, stating, "You remember that we were the first to make a statement yesterday regarding the fact that yesterday's historic elections were stolen by Ivanishvili, that this is a total disregard of the will of the Georgian people, that there was actually a Russian-type special operation against the Georgian people, who chose the European future, and Ivanishvili took this victory away." She added, "Naturally, when we said that we do not recognize the election results, this of course implies that we are not going to enter the parliament. Therefore, I am sure that there were no question marks at all when it comes to the unity of the national movement."
Similarly, the Coalition for Changes bloc has also refused parliamentary mandates, declaring the election results "falsified and illegitimate." Nana Malashkhia, the coalition's top candidate, stated, "We all say together that these elections are rigged and the results are illegitimate. We are not going to legitimize the votes stolen from the Georgian people, we refuse our own parliamentary mandates. I, Nana Malashkhia, number one on the list, entered politics for ideas and to protect the interests of this country. That's why I am giving up my parliamentary mandate today."
Nika Gvaramia, another leader from the coalition, indicated that the opposition is coordinating with President Salome Zourabichvili to address what they allege is an "orchestrated operation" to secure GD's rule. "We are in close communication with the President of Georgia and plan to meet with her again," he stated, reaffirming their commitment to "protecting the votes received at the elections."
Meanwhile, Strong Georgia, another opposition coalition, reiterated its refusal to accept the election results during an October 27 briefing. Mamuka Khazaradze, one of its leaders, voiced his distrust in the election process and condemned the alleged influence of GD's founder, Bidzina Ivanishvili. "Bidzina Ivanishvili, together with the Russian special services, appropriated yesterday's elections and took them away from the Georgian people. We will continue to protect the right of our citizens to vote, and to fight so that this country, whose choice is the Euro-Atlantic space, does not take Ivanishvili to Russia. This will not happen," he declared.
Opposition leaders cite numerous issues surrounding the election, including reports of vote-buying, voter intimidation, and procedural tampering, which they claim tilted the results in favor of GD.
