Yesterday, citizens of Georgia voted in a crucial parliamentary election. According to preliminary results published by Georgia’s Central Election Commission (CEC), the Georgian Dream party has won a majority of seats. However, the election has been marred by allegations of fraud.
The European Greens urgently call for an independent international investigation of allegations of electoral fraud in Georgia. Concerns about the impartiality of the CEC must be taken very seriously. At a press conference in Tbilisi today, Iulian Bulai, head of the delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, referred to “cases of vote-buying, widespread climate of pressure and party-organised intimidation before and during the elections, especially in rural areas”. Moreover, the statement published today by the joint international observation mission notes “concerns over the impartiality and political instrumentalization of the oversight body”. The report lists numerous instances of election irregularities.
Thomas Waitz, co-chair of the European Green Party said: “This is not what a free and fair election looks like. The 12-year rule of the Georgian Dream party has in recent years been marked by increasingly authoritarian policies, disregard for the rule of law and basic democratic principles, rampant corruption, and widespread popular discontent. International observers have today noted that frequent compromises in voting secrecy and intimidation of voters impacts public trust in the voting process. All major opposition parties contest the election results published by the Georgia’s Election Commission. Independent election observers from Georgian civil society qualify the actions of the ruling party as a ‘big fraud scheme’ that does not reflect the will of the Georgian people.”
Co-chair of the European Green Party Mélanie Vogel added: “Massive pro-European protests in the last years have sent a very clear message. Over 70% of Georgians support joining the EU, which is also a goal enshrined in Georgia’s constitution. The European Greens strongly believe that we have a shared future together. The EU must speak with a united voice and support Georgia’s people and their aspirations in these critical times. We continue to monitor the situation closely and call upon a democratic and peaceful resolution to the post-election crisis in Georgia.”
