The recent partial recount of ballots from a contested parliamentary election in Georgia has reaffirmed the notable victory for the ruling party, according to officials in the state. The European Union’s decision to pause the nation’s membership bid due to concerns about its governance has been downplayed by the administration.
The Central Election Commission of Georgia (CEC) has publicised that the ruling party, Georgian Dream, garnered a significant 54% of the votes in the recent ballot, far ahead of the opposing factions which have refused to yield, accusing the results of being tainted due to widespread discrepancies, and instances of violence and intimidation.
The CEC, on a Thursday statement, underscored that about 14% of the ballots were recounted randomly, leading to insignificant changes in the previously released results. The final figures were somewhat adjusted only in approximately 9% of the polling stations where the votes were recounted.
Meanwhile, two individuals have been arrested for suspected illegal voting, with Georgia’s prosecution office unveiling 47 cases tied to voter interference, breaching ballot secrecy, obstructing journalists, threats and violence and destruction of property.
However, leaders of the opposition have discredited both the CEC and the prosecution office as mere puppets in the hands of the ruling Georgian Dream. They are seeking a third-party investigation into the voting discrepancies and are calling for a complete re-election under global oversight.
In response to these developments, the Georgian President, Salome Zourabichvili who previously criticized the elections as a “Russian special operation” and a “blatant fraud”, ignored a summons by the prosecution to discuss her claims and instructed them to continue their inquiry instead.
Maka Botchorishvili, the head of Parliament’s European Integration Committee of Georgia, reprimanded Ms Zourabichvili, accusing her of “working against Georgia’s national interests and undermining the very state she represents”, by making unfounded allegations which endangers the country’s likelihood of EU membership.
Any attempt to disparage the elections substantially hinders Georgia’s path towards EU membership. Those who manipulate such an initiative against Georgia’s European aspirations should offer justifiable proofs to their allegations. If the charges possess credibility, an in-depth investigation is crucial, as per the senior member of the ruling party.
Brussels, in a harsh critique of Georgia’s endeavour for EU membership, voiced on Wednesday that the country has regressed rather than progressing towards the commencement of accession talks, putting its EU trajectory in jeopardy.
Following the government’s limitation of LGBT+ rights, increased dominance over civil society organisations, and heightened anti-western rhetoric, the EU suspended Georgia’s membership process. Both local and international critics noted that these actions echo Russia’s attitude, a nation that Tbilisi declines to penalise despite its extensive invasion of Ukraine.
“As the EU consistently assesses Georgia, we also persistently address the issues outlined in the association agreement, which embodies the essence of European integration. The process hasn’t ceased and will not cease,” asserted Shalva Papuashvili, a senior member of the Georgian Dream.