On October 26 Georgia held elections to elect the 150-member Parliament. These were the first fully-proportional elections in Georgia, with a 5% threshold. These were also the first electronic elections, with about 90% of voters casting their ballots through electronic devices installed at polling stations.
According to the Central Election Commission the official results are: (41) Georgian Dream (current ruling party) – 53.93%; (4) Coalition for Change – (Ahali+Girchi – More Freedom+Droa) 11.03%, (5) Unity – to Save Georgia – 10.17%5 (United National Movement + Strategy Agmashenebeli); (9) Strong Georgia (Lelo for Georgia + For People + Citizens + Freedom Square) – 8.81%; and (25) For Georgia (led by ex GD Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia) – 7.78%.
The local observer organizations speak of “large-scale” rigging and demand the annulment of the official results. According to them, the alleged rigging scheme included, among others, confiscating voters’ ID cards before the election, artificial obstacles for independent election observers, as well as multiple instances of fraudulent voting and multiple votes cast by individuals working with Georgian Dream observers and party-affiliated election officials.
The OSCE/ODIHR shared its first preliminary assessment, saying the elections “unfolded amid entrenched polarization in an environment marred by concerns over recently adopted legislation, its impact on fundamental freedoms and civil society.”
The President of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili rejected the election results and demanded an immediate investigation into election fraud. The opposition denies the legitimacy of the elections, announcing non-stop protests to demand new elections. Opposition leaders announced plan consisting of 1) Informing all Georgian citizens about the fraud, deception and machinations used by Georgian Dream to steal elections. 2) Ensuring that international partners don’t recognize the rigged elections. 3) Continuing democratic resistance, civic activism, and street protests.
Georgia’s international partners, including the U.S. and the European Union, have called for an independent international investigation into the election violations and said these elections move Georgia away from EU and NATO.
LIVE UPDATES (ALL TIMES ARE LOCAL)
For the chronology of events following the October 26 elections till November 13, see our Parliamentary Elections Blog.
Monday, November 18
23:00 – Protest on Chavchavadze Avenue Continues, Protesters Again Plan to Stay Overnight
The protests continue on Chavchavadze Avenue, near Tbilisi State University. The demonstrators stayed overnight and throughout the day and plan to stay overnight again. Citizens are self- organizing, bringing blankets, hot coffee, tea and snacks for the demonstrators, who are taking shifts to protest 24 hours a day. The Bakur Sulakauri publishing house announced that it would deliver books to the demonstrators staying at the venue.
20:00 – President Salome Zurabishvili Holds Briefing, Proposing New Elections
President Salome Zurabishvili held a briefing in which she proposed the following steps: 1. Investigate the October 26 elections, followed by new elections; 2. Retain the pre-October 26 political configuration (same govenrment, parliament, president) during the transition period. She urged Georgian Dream to reconsider its stated goal of convening the parliament which nobody recognizes.
In addition, the President announced plans to file a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court regarding alleged violations of constitutional rights to ballot secrecy and universal suffrage.
15:30 – Formula TV Co-Founder Released After Arrest at Peaceful Protest
Giorgi Liponava, co-founder of the Formula TV channel, along with two other citizens, has been released after 48 hours in detention. The three were violently arrested during a peaceful protest on November 16, as the Central Election Commission (CEC) announced the summary protocol. Vano Gomurashvili, a member of the “Coalition for Change,” also got released, as he confirms on Facebook.
15:00 – Georgian Citizens Protest Alleged Election Fraud Abroad
Georgian emigrants have taken to the streets of London, Frankfurt, Paris and New York to protest alleged electoral fraud and express their dissatisfaction with unfair and undemocratic election results. These demonstrations were a show of solidarity with the protesters in Tbilisi. Their message was clear: unity and continued resistance is the only way forward. One protester remarked, “Bidzina Ivanishvili’s gang is taking Georgia to the side of Russia, where there is no real democracy,” highlighting concerns about the country’s trajectory under the current leadership.
14:45 – CEC Deputy Chairperson Urges Action from International Partners
Giorgi Sharabidze, Deputy Chairperson of the Central Election Commission (CEC), addressed the recent ‘discrediting campaign’ against the CEC administration and an incident that occurred during the November 16 session. He highlighted that the ‘intensified bullying’ on social media, rallies near the CEC Chairman’s residence, and attempts to invade personal space have crossed ethical boundaries and exceeded the norms of civil protest. Sharabidze expressed concern about the potential wider implications of these actions, warning that undermining the independence of election administrators could have a negative impact on electoral systems around the world. He called for support and solidarity from international partners, urging them to assess the situation openly and protect the democratic principles at stake.
02:21 – Opposition Leader Shares Five-Step Plan to Achieve New Elections
Mamuka Khazaradze, one of the leaders of the “Strong Georgia” coalition, shared his views on the next five steps that need to be taken to achieve new elections in Georgia:
- Continued, permanent street protests of various kinds both in the capital and throughout Georgia;
- Deligitimization of the Parliament by opposition politicians resigning their parliamentary mandates and revoking their proportional lists;
- Creation of the “People’s Parliament” by the opposition MPs and the appointment of President Salome Zurabishvili as the Chairperson of the Parliament, thus creating a “national political center”;
- Development of the action plan of the “People’s Parliament”;
- Sending a delegation of the “People’s Parliament” to Western partners and strengthening their support.
Sunday, November 17
21:15 – Coalition for Change Announces Night Vigil, Chavchavadze Ave is Blocked for Traffic, as Rally Goes on in Front of Parliament Building
Coalition for Change leaders announced from near Tbilisi State University that they will stay in the area for the next 24 hours in protest, blocking one of the central arteries of the city – Chavchavadze Avenue and the area around the university. They said they intend to inform the citizens every hour about the upcoming plans. Citizens set up tents near Tbilisi State University.
At the same time, a rally was held in front of the Parliament building, where observers told the crowd of the fraud and violations they had witnessed during the elections.
18:00 – Students March towards the Parliament Building
The demonstrators, most of them students, who gathered near Tbilisi State University on central Chavchavadze Avenue, started marching towards the parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue to join the “Get Your Vote Back” protest rally at 19:00. The demonstrators say their votes were stolen in the 26 October elections. Meanwhile, the Coalition for Change is also gathering protesters near Vake Park, and Strong Georgia is gathering protesters on Marjanishvili Avenue and will join the Rustaveli Avenue protesters for the main rally.
15:03 – PM Kobakhidze Says New Parliament will Convene on November 25
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said the Parliament will convene “exactly on the 10th day after the publication of the official election results, on November 25.” He also said: “We assume that the so-far formal President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, will once again violate the Constitution of Georgia by not convening the first session of the Parliament.”
Saturday, November 16
23:30 – Georgian Patriarchate Issues Statement Congratulating GD on Victory
The Patriarchate of Georgia issued the statement of the Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church saying: “The Central Election Commission has completed the process of announcing the results of the elections, which once again confirmed the victory of Georgian Dream with a large majority of votes. We warmly congratulate them on this success.” The Patriarch further notes: “It is true that the opposition is protesting the election results and plans to continue protesting, but we hope that both the government and the opposition will be able to use the coming years as much as possible for the progress and prosperity of the country.
Everything in this world is God’s will. The main thing is to create a synergy between us and the Lord.”
14:05 – MIA Says it Opened Investigation Under Art. 118 of the Criminal Code in Relation to the Throwing of Paint at CEC Chairman
The MIA said it had opened an investigation under Article 118 of the Criminal Code, which refers to the intentional infliction of less serious damage to health, following a complaint from the Central Election Commission. The case relates to the fact that David Kirtadze of the United National Movement threw an unknown liquid at the chairman of the CEC, Giorgi Kalandarishvili, during the November 16 meeting of the CEC.
13:00 – Protest by CEC Building Continues
A protest by CEC continues, with protesters trying to close the Aghmashenebli Alley for traffic and police preventing them to do so. There are reports of police being especially rude, in particular toward women protesters. Protestants put up posters on the fence surrounding the building saying: “Rebel against the Russian regime!”, “No to “transparent” laws and paper! Take back the elections!” ,
“I saw rigging! Claim your vote!”
A film director and a co-founder of Formula TV Giorgi Liponava, has been reportedly detained, along with at least two more protesters.
12:28 – CEC Announces Final Summary Protocol of Elections
CEC announced final summary protocol results despite differences of opinion among the members of the Commission and appeals from the opposition members to not put the stamp on the results of the “rigged elections.” The first Session of Parliament is to take place in 10 days period after the announcement of the final summary protocol.
According to the final summary protocol out of 3 508 294 voters, 2 111 834 took part in the elections.
Five political alliances/parties passed the 5% threshold. The final official results of the elections are as follows:
- Georgian Dream- 53.93% (1 120 053) – 89 seats in the Parliament
- Coalition for Change – 11.03% (229 161) – 19 seats in the Parliament
- Unity-UNM – 10.17% (211 216), 16 seats in the Parliament
- Strong Georgia – 8.81% (182 922), 14 seats in the Parliament
- Gakharia for Georgia – 7.78% (161 521), 12 seats in the Parliament
11:00 – CEC Opposition Member Forced to Leave Commission Meeting after a Verbal Altercation
An opposition member of the CEC was ejected from the Commission meeting as it prepares to announce the final summary protocol of the elections, after a verbal altercation broke out between opposition commission member Davit Kirtadze and chairman Giorgi Kalandarishvili. Kirtadze allegedly called him a “black spot” in Georgian history (in an apparent reference to the black spots on the other side of the ballot paper that violated the secrecy of the vote and became a symbol of the 26 October elections among protesters) and threw black paint at Chairman Kalandarishvili, after which he was ejected from the meeting room. According to opposition members, Kirtadze was allegedly beaten. Other opposition members were also escorted out of the meeting or chose to leave in protest.
10:45 – Citizens Gather in Protest by Central Election Commission Building as CEC Prepares to Publish Final Summary Protocol of the Elections
As Central Election Commission is preparing to publish the final summary protocol today, in parallel to its members’ session, citizens are gathering outside the CEC building to protest the stolen elections, as they say. The decision to publish the protocol became known a day earlier.
Friday, November 15
22:40 – Students Protests Ongoing in Tbilisi
Students in Tbilisi are protesting outside Tbilisi State University against what they say are rigged elections. Part of the central Chavchavadze Avenue is closed to traffic. Police have been mobilized at the protest site. Part of students have marched to Ilia State University. The organizers of the march said that tomorrow at 11:00 students will gather for a rally in front of the Central Election Commission, which plans to announce the final summary protocol of the disputed elections. Meanwhile, students at Batumi State University are protesting as well, spending the second night in a row in the University building.
19:30 – President Meets with Local Election Observation Missions
President of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili held a public meeting with the representatives of monitoring organizations My Vote coalition, GYLA and ISFED. The observers discussed what they saw at the polling stations, noting that the election administration and investigative bodies have not inquired into they violation cases that they have detected.
18:25 – Protest March Takes Place on the Republic Square
A protest march organised by the public group “Daitove” started at 17:00 local time from Republic Square in Tbilisi. Participants in the rally are protesting against what they say are rigged elections.
17:35 – Smartmatic Confirms Supplying CEC with Markers
The Central Election Commission published the letter from Smartmatic in which the company proves that the supply of markers used during the elections was sent by them in accordance with the contract and in compliance with the technical requirements. The CEC notes that the documentation related to the purchase of markers is available in the public system and addresses the politicians who claim that the CEC changed the markers, “which is a complete lie and aims to mislead the public”.
15:00- Tbilisi Court of Appeal to Consider the Lawsuit of Unity-UNM, Strong Georgia and GYLA Without an Oral Hearing
Today at 16:00 Tbilisi time, the Tbilisi Court of Appeal will consider the lawsuit filed by ‘Unity-UNM,’ ‘Strong Georgia,’ and the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), for the annulment of the election results, without any oral hearing and without any testimony from the initiators of the case. GYLA has argued that the parties involved should be allowed to present their opinions directly in court and that the public should be given the opportunity to observe the proceedings. The organization emphasizes that the case is of significant public interest, as it pertains to citizens’ right to vote. Although the Court of Appeals has the right to hold the hearing without an oral presentation, the plaintiffs believe that such a decision is alarming. Tamar Kordzaia, one of the leaders of ‘Unity-UNM,’ has expressed similar concerns, stating that all state institutions are under government control, adding, “There is no court anymore.”
12:25 – Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University Students Protest Rigged Election
Since November 14 students of Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University continue to protest the rigged elections, demanding annulment of the results and organizing new parliamentary elections. The students spent the night in the university to defend their ‘European choice’. They accuse the lecturers and the university administration of being involved in the rigging of the elections. They also say that the protest can go to the extreme if the demands are not met. A large protest is planned in Batumi today at 18:00. They are also calling on students from other universities to protest and defend their votes.
Students from Ilia State University also joined the student protests against the rigged elections from Tbilisi, Georgia. Their message is clear “We must protect our votes”. One lecturer halted the academic process to left the students march, emphasizing the importance of standing up for values and integrity. “We, the people who have concrete values, must continue the fight,” the lecturer stated. A larger protest march will start in Tbilisi at 17:00 local time.
12:00 – Mamuka Khazaradze Says “Traces of the Crime are Being Covered up” in Connection with Elections
One of the leaders of Strong Georgia, Mamuka Khazaradze stated the Prosecutor’s Office’s seizure of voter verification devices and election documentation raises reasonable suspicion that “the traces of the crime are being covered up.” As Khazaradze wrote on Facebook, these devices and documentation contain unmistakable information that confirms “systemic crimes related to unprecedented election fraud.” The CEC has appealed to Prosecutor’s Office to launch an investigation into the alleged falsification of the elections, and the Prosecutor’s Office is questioning political leaders. This, according to Khazaradze, was in fact done so that the Prosecutor’s Office could confiscate all the equipment and election documents, which it did by sealing them in a special warehouse.
Thursday, November 14
17:00 – Coalition for Change Presentation of Evidence of Election Fraud Scheme
On November 14 the opposition Coalition for Change, made up of the Ahali, Girchi-More Freedom and Droa parties, which garnered the most votes among other opposition coalitions, presented a document detailing evidence of electoral fraud. The Coalition also brought hundreds of filed complaints describing the violations, which were displayed at the venue.
Zurab Japaridze, one of the leaders of the coalition, presented the extensive document at a special press-conference, which was attended by journalists from all Georgian media, including the pro-government media outlets. The document draws conclusions about fraud scheme based on specific cases.
15:15 – Gakharia Stresses Importance of Not Recognizing Elections As Legitimate by Int’l Partners
Giorgi Gakharia, leader of the opposition party ‘For Georgia’, stressed the importance of international partners not recognizing the legitimacy of the parliamentary elections and called for the release of the voters’ list, which had been seized by the prosecutor’s office as part of an investigation. He added that the CEC no longer had access to the data. He also addressed the GD’s lack of attention to the occupied territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which could seriously undermine Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. In particular, he highlighted Russia’s recent demands during the November 7 Geneva talks on “border” delimitation and a non-use of force agreement.
15:00 – Tamar Kordzaia of Unity-UNM: All Branches of Government “Actively Cleaning Up” Rigged Elections
Tamar Kordzaia, one the leaders of ‘Unity-UNM’ said that all branches of the government, including CEC and the Prosecutors Office, are actively ‘cleaning up’ the rigged elections. She said a day earlier the Unity-UNM filed a petition with the court to suspend the court’s consideration of the case until the Prosecutor’s Office completes its investigation, which was denied. She said: “We see that the Prosecutor’s Office has intervened and suspended access to documents for any agency, so this is simply the rule of the “Georgian Dream”, the modern Communist Party…”