Day: October 26, 2024

Jonas Löffler: Studying Armenian and Georgian Cultures. By Artsvi Bakhchinyan via ⁦@MirrorSpectator⁩ https://t.co/RPCRfp7Dsx

— Notes from Georgia/South Caucasus (Hälbig, Ralph) (@SouthCaucasus) October 26, 2024

Die Parlamentswahl in der Kaukasus-Republik #Georgien ist nicht nur eine Entscheidung zwischen EU-Kurs und Russland-Nähe, sondern auch wegweisend für die unabhängigen Medien im Land. Von der Expertin Sonja Schiffers @sonjaschiffers via @wdr https://t.co/e8FFksM7UL

— Notes from Georgia/South Caucasus (Hälbig, Ralph) (@SouthCaucasus) October 26, 2024

Georgia’s opposition on the election results

The opposition alliances “Unity – National Movement” and “Coalition for Change” have announced they do not accept the results of Georgia‘s parliamentary elections held on October 26, 2024.

A third coalition, “Strong Georgia,” has yet to clearly reject the results, but its leaders assert they will not “give up these elections to anyone.”

Meanwhile, Giorgi Gakharia, former prime minister and leader of “For Georgia,” stated that his party is aware of the authorities’ alleged election-rigging tactics but will await final results before revealing their next steps.

Transparency International Georgia’s Executive Director Eka Gigauri also announced that they do not recognize the preliminary results from the Central Election Commission (CEC), a decision supported by many NGOs.

Georgia’s elections are over. Opposition exit polls show 40% for the ruling party, while government polls report over 51%

According to the opposition, the 5% threshold was crossed by the “Coalition for Change,” “Unity – United National Movement,” “Strong Georgia,” “Gakharia – for Georgia,” and “Georgian Dream.” However, according to “Imedi,” the Gakharia’s party did not clear the threshold

Opposition party leaders made their statements on the night of October 26-27, just hours after the elections and the Central Election Commission (CEC) announced preliminary results.

These statements followed a closed meeting of leaders from three opposition coalitions: “Unity – National Movement,” “Coalition for Change,” and “Strong Georgia.”

Tina Bokuchava, chair of the “Unity – National Movement” alliance, stated during a midnight briefing, “The CEC carried out a dirty order from Ivanishvili and announced results that show the oligarch stole the victory from the Georgian people, thereby stealing our European future. We declare that we do not recognize the results of these stolen and falsified elections.“

Ballot stuffing, ejecting observers, voter control – What election day was like in Georgia

Fights, attacks on journalists, attempted falsifications, and an unprecedented mobilization of the diaspora—key takeaways from the day

“The elections were stolen. There has been a usurpation of power; this is a coup. The ‘Georgian Dream’ will have to recognize the opposition’s victory. We have decoded the scheme by which these elections were stolen. We will defend the votes. The authors of the constitutional coup are waiting for results established by law,” stated Nika Gvaramia, one of the leaders of the “Coalition for Change.“

“We are outraged by what the Central Election Commission has dared to announce. The results do not reflect the will of the Georgian people. We will fight to protect every vote and use all legal means to defend the democratic and European choice of the Georgian people. We will not give this choice to anyone,” said Ana Dolidze from the “Strong Georgia” coalition.

In the parliamentary elections, 150 deputies are to be elected. A total of 18 political parties participated in the elections on October 26, 2024. These elections are notable for two key innovations: they were held entirely under a proportional system for the first time, and an electronic voting and counting system was used at most polling stations.

Natia Mezvrishvili, one of the leaders of the “For Georgia” party, stated that the elections were falsified and that the party has evidence of so-called “carousel” voting and voter bribery.

“The party has already filed complaints with the relevant authorities. According to the law, we will wait for the announcement of the final results. But we will not sit idly by; we will work to provide all evidence to local and international observers,” said Mezvrishvili.

Elene Khoshtaria, one of the leaders of the “Coalition for Change,” confirmed the information about upcoming protests.

“These were not ordinary elections. This is a time when we must save the country from Russia, a time when Europe supports us. We said there were different scenarios, and we prepared for them. And now this scenario has arrived. The authorities have chosen a path of self-destruction. We are very strong today. We will not accept these stolen elections and will move to continuous protests,” Khoshtaria stated.

Parliamentary elections in Georgia 2024. Follow the events live

All events, statements, opinions, photos, and videos from across Georgia

Georgia’s opposition on the election results

There are many observers monitoring the elections, some from local and international NGOs. But political parties also have observers as well — and sometimes they can seem more like activists.

#Georgien vor unruhigen Tagen. Von Silvia Stöber ⁦@tavisupleba⁩ via ⁦@tagesschau⁩ https://t.co/Gd4uya1sSJ

— Notes from Georgia/South Caucasus (Hälbig, Ralph) (@SouthCaucasus) October 26, 2024

1. Georgian election: Ruling party leads but pro-EU opposition says vote was ‘stolen’  BBC.com
2. Ruling Party in Republic of Georgia Claims Election Victory.  The New York Times
3. Georgia’s opposition disputes result of crucial vote which could decide the country’s role in Europe  The Associated Press
4. Anxiety looms over Georgia’s election as voters cast ballots  POLITICO Europe
5. Polls close in Georgia’s high-stakes parliamentary elections  Al Jazeera English
6. Georgia’s Moscow-leaning ruling party leads in preliminary election results  The Washington Post
7. As Georgia votes, fears of a stolen election and a return to the Kremlin’s orbit loom large  CNN
8. Georgia’s ruling party leading in pivotal election ahead of pro-EU opposition  The Guardian
9. Polls close in Georgian election that could either bring it closer to the EU or into Russia’s orbit  PBS NewsHour

1. Georgian election: Ruling party leads but pro-EU opposition says vote was ‘stolen’  BBC.com
2. Ruling Party in Republic of Georgia Claims Election Victory.  The New York Times
3. Georgia’s opposition disputes result of crucial vote which could decide the country’s role in Europe  The Associated Press
4. Anxiety looms over Georgia’s election as voters cast ballots  POLITICO Europe
5. Polls close in Georgia’s high-stakes parliamentary elections  Al Jazeera English
6. As Georgia votes, fears of a stolen election and a return to the Kremlin’s orbit loom large  CNN
7. Georgia’s ruling party leading in pivotal election ahead of pro-EU opposition  The Guardian
8. Polls close in Georgian election that could either bring it closer to the EU or into Russia’s orbit  PBS NewsHour
9. At odds with the EU, will Georgia turn to Russia in key legislative elections?  FRANCE 24 English

Georgia’s ruling party wins pivotal election, early results show, as opposition parties cry foul  CNN

1. Georgia’s opposition disputes result of crucial vote which could decide the country’s role in Europe  The Associated Press
2. Georgian president calls for protests after ruling party wins disputed election  Reuters
3. Republic of Georgia’s Ruling Party Claims Election Victory  The New York Times
4. Georgia’s pro-EU opposition cries foul as ruling party claims election victory  CNN
5. Georgia thrown into political turmoil after disputed parliamentary elections  FRANCE 24 English
6. Georgia’s crucial vote was marred by intimidation, European monitors say  NPR
7. Georgia’s pro-EU opposition calls for protest over ‘rigged’ election result  The Guardian
8. Experts React: Georgia just concluded a contested election, with the country’s future at stake. Now what?  Atlantic Council
9. Georgia president calls for protests as opposition cries foul over election  POLITICO Europe

1. Georgia’s opposition disputes result of crucial vote which could decide the country’s role in Europe  The Associated Press
2. Georgian elections: High stakes as voters decide path in Europe  BBC.com
3. Ruling Party in Republic of Georgia Claims Election Victory.  The New York Times
4. Anxiety looms over Georgia’s election as voters cast ballots  POLITICO Europe
5. Polls close in Georgia’s high-stakes parliamentary elections  Al Jazeera English
6. As Georgia votes, fears of a stolen election and a return to the Kremlin’s orbit loom large  CNN
7. Georgia’s Moscow-leaning ruling party leads in preliminary election results  The Washington Post
8. Georgia ruling party set to win election seen as choice between Russia, West  South China Morning Post
9. Polls close in Georgian election that could either bring it closer to the EU or into Russia’s orbit  PBS NewsHour