Parliamentary elections in Georgia have caused controversy amid accusations of fraud

The “Georgian Dream” party won the parliamentary elections in the country, gaining more than 54% of the votes. However, the results are contested by opposition parties, citing irregularities such as ballot-stuffing and voter intimidation, raising doubts about the integrity of the election process.

ISFED, the local election monitoring group, reported numerous irregularities during the voting process, although it noted several discrepancies during the electronic vote count. In contrast, the election commission and the Georgian Dream party called the election free and fair, despite not responding quickly to the allegations.

The result is perceived as a significant step back for Georgia’s pro-European aspirations. While the Georgian Dream party seeks to join the EU, its authoritarian tendencies have stalled the membership application. The EU is monitoring the situation with concern, mindful of achieving a unified response to the disputed results.

(With data from agencies.)