According to Azat TV following Georgia’s parliamentary elections on October 26, the Central Election Commission (CEC) has announced that a recount will take place in several districts this Tuesday. This decision comes amid strong opposition from key political players and concerns voiced by international observers about significant electoral irregularities, raising tensions in Georgia’s political landscape.
Election Results and Opposition’s Objections
According to preliminary results, the ruling “Georgian Dream” party received 53.93% of the votes. However, four opposition parties that won seats in parliament, supported by Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, have rejected the results, labeling the elections as rigged. They argue that the reported outcome does not reflect the true will of the Georgian people. Alleging the elections were a “Russian special operation” and a “KGB mission,” opposition parties and President Zourabichvili have stated they will not participate in the new parliament.
Details of the Recount Process
The recount, as organized by district election commissions, will involve reviewing ballots from five randomly selected polling stations in each district, chosen by lottery. The process is scheduled to begin at 12:00 p.m. in the regions and at 5:00 p.m. in the capital, Tbilisi.
Official Election Results
The vote distribution reported by the CEC is as follows:
- Georgian Dream: 53.93%
- Coalition for Change: 11.04%
- United National Movement: 10.17%
- Strong Georgia: 8.8%
- Gakharia for Georgia: 7.8%
Opposition leaders claim these results are manipulated, arguing that the ruling party has subverted democratic principles and suppressed the voice of the people.
International Observers’ Findings: Entrenched Polarization and Uneven Playing Field
In a joint statement, international observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA), NATO PA, PACE, and the European Parliament underscored the polarized nature of Georgia’s political climate. According to their findings, the elections were influenced by entrenched political division, significant imbalances in campaign financing, and recent legislative changes that disproportionately benefited the ruling party.
Observers highlighted that the newly adopted “Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence” cast a shadow over civil society and had a chilling effect on freedom of association and expression. This law has reportedly stigmatized numerous NGOs and, together with incidents of harassment and intimidation, hindered the ability of civil society organizations to work independently. Pascal Allizard, leader of the OSCE short-term observer mission, emphasized that despite visible public engagement, these issues signaled a challenging path ahead for Georgia’s democratic development.
Campaign Climate and Gender Representation Concerns
Observers noted that although the campaign featured 18 candidate lists, it was characterized by divisive rhetoric, hate speech targeting opposition groups and civil society, and antagonism towards the office of the President. Election day itself saw reports of pressure on voters, particularly public sector employees, with widespread reports of intimidation, raising concerns about voters’ ability to cast ballots freely. The removal of gender quotas this year also led to a significant decline in female candidates, with women’s representation further hindered by stereotypes and even incidents of violence.
Media Polarization and Biased Coverage
Media polarization was another significant issue flagged by observers. Monitoring results showed that Georgian media, largely dependent on political financing, exhibited clear bias, with commercial television channels not adhering to impartiality standards. Although the public broadcaster’s coverage was generally neutral, it provided considerably more airtime to the ruling party. Safety concerns for journalists have also risen, with multiple cases of recent intimidation and attacks, adding to the tense electoral environment.
Concluding Observations from International Delegations
International representatives expressed concerns over Georgia’s democratic trajectory. Antonio López-Istúriz White, leading the European Parliament delegation, described the elections as a “setback for democratic principles” due to “intimidation, coercion, and pressure on voters.” Iulian Bulai of PACE added that the pre-election period was marred by hate speech and party-driven intimidation, which compromised the integrity of the elections and affected public trust in the outcome.
As the recount process unfolds, international observers and the opposition continue to call for transparency and accountability to restore public confidence in Georgia’s democratic processes. Whether these actions will ease political tensions remains uncertain, but the spotlight on electoral integrity is likely to shape the country’s political discourse in the coming months.
