The recent parliamentary elections in Georgia, held on October 26, 2024, marked a significant moment in the country’s political landscape, marked by both procedural and ethical controversies. This election was governed by a proportional representation system, introduced through 2017 constitutional amendments, which set a 5% electoral threshold for parliamentary representation. While this system theoretically enhances fairer representation, reports indicate that the actual election day was marred by serious violations, including allegations of bribery, voter manipulation, and even incidents of violence. Such issues have overshadowed the election’s legitimacy and highlighted concerns about the country’s democratic future, particularly in light of Georgia’s aspirations for European integration.
To add on to that Georgian Dream’s (populist ruling party of Georgia elected in 2012) campaign was tainted by extensive manipulation. Allegations include the use of the Russia-Ukraine war as a fearmongering tactic and the promotion of anti-LGBTQ narratives to appeal to Georgia’s religious and conservative population. This polarization of voters underscores a deeply fractured political environment, with Georgian Dream leveraging traditionalist narratives to consolidate support among specific demographic groups, including elderly, religious, and public sector workers. Below, we delve into the specifics of what happened during the elections, the key concerns raised by both domestic and international observers, and the subsequent reactions from Georgia’s political entities and civil society.
Election Violations: Alleged Bribery, Manipulation and Observer Restrictions
On election day, civil society organizations documented extensive violations. Observers recorded approximately 300 instances of procedural breaches by the evening of October 26. These violations included allegations of bribery, such as cash transfers and distribution of gasoline coupons to sway votes in favor of the ruling Georgian Dream party. Coordinators reportedly registered and monitored voters using personal data, which not only undermined voter confidentiality but also acted as a psychological pressure tactic. Voter registration on the outer perimeters of precincts was observed, allegedly organized by Georgian Dream party affiliates. These practices, as noted by the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), were widely condemned for violating democratic norms and compromising voter independence.
The ISFED reports further detailed cases of ballot-stuffing and voters being issued multiple ballots. In the morning hours alone, approximately 50 cases of multiple ballot issuance were reported, with this “alarming trend” persisting throughout the day. Such actions raise serious concerns about potential ballot manipulation, which could invalidate precinct results or, worse, lead to election fraud. Furthermore, numerous issues with ballot transfer boxes were reported nationwide, including instances of unsealed or damaged boxes, some arriving with fewer ballots than expected. These procedural flaws, coupled with reports of intimidation and violence, have raised serious concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.
The presence of observer missions from various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) was another focal point of the election day proceedings. However, many observers encountered restrictions, with several forcibly expelled from precincts. Observers reported an atmosphere of aggression and hostility from election officials, particularly towards media representatives. This led to accusations that the election was marred by an authoritarian clampdown on transparency, a fundamental principle in free and fair elections. Despite these challenges, approximately 1,500 ISFED observers managed to document several significant violations, shedding light on the extensive issues present throughout the day.
Edison Research Exit Poll: Preliminary Results
After the polls closed, the results from an Edison Research exit poll commissioned by FormulaTV suggested a divided vote. 14,946 people participating in the elections were interviewed. Margin of error +/- 2.5%, for a 95% confidence limit. The Georgian Dream party appeared to lead with 40.9% of the vote, while opposition groups were split among various alliances, including Unity: united national movement, Coalition for Change, Strong Georgia, Gakharia – For Georgia, together they had 52-53% which would give the opposition a majority. Although the exit poll indicated a competitive race, the official results released later by the Central Election Commission (CEC) showed Georgian Dream securing a substantial lead, ultimately winning 54% of the vote. This disparity between exit poll data and official results has fueled suspicions of electoral manipulation among opposition parties and international observers alike.
Final Results and Prospective Political Implications
The Election Administration of Georgia has reported that Georgian Dream won 54% of the vote, which would give it 89 parliamentary seats, thereby securing a majority. Opposition parties, including the United National Movement, Coalition for Change, Strong Georgia, and For Georgia, have rejected these results, collectively condemning them as fraudulent. The Election Administration of Georgia’s decision to dismiss 337 complaints received during the election has further damaged its credibility, fueling the belief that these elections were neither free nor fair.
The aftermath of the 2024 parliamentary elections in Georgia reflects a stark divide between the ruling Georgian Dream party’s supporters and the opposition, with civil society and international observers voicing serious concerns over democratic backsliding. As Georgian Dream consolidates its power, the opposition’s commitment to challenging the results through peaceful, democratic means suggests that Georgia’s political turmoil is far from over. The strong reactions from international observers also indicate that Georgia’s 2024 elections may be remembered not for their procedural success but for the controversies that compromised the democratic process.
Opposition Reactions and Allegations of Electoral Fraud
In response to the official results, opposition groups have collectively rejected the outcome, alleging widespread electoral fraud. Opposition leaders claimed that the results amounted to a “constitutional coup” and vowed to contest them through all available democratic and legal channels. An opposition leader, Tsutskiridze, emphasized that the election results did not reflect the will of the Georgian people and reaffirmed a commitment to continuing their struggle for Georgia’s democratic and European future. Another opposition figure, Ana Dolidze, expressed indignation at the CEC’s handling of the vote count, stating that the results “do not reflect the will of the Georgian people”. They announced that they would give up their parliamentary mandates if these elections are legitimized.
International Observers’ Assessments: Concerns Over Democratic Integrity
The initial international assessment came from the American organizations International Republican Institute (IRI) and National Democratic Institute (NDI), which conducted an observation mission in collaboration with local partners. Both organizations highlighted concerns over recent legal and political changes, which they argue have stifled political competition and created an unequal playing field for opposition parties. Dan Twining, president of IRI, criticized these changes as attempts to limit political diversity, while Margareta Siderfeld from the Swedish Parliament emphasized that restrictions on freedom of assembly and transparency laws had severely undermined the election’s integrity.
John Shimkus, a former U.S. congressman and member of the IRI delegation, highlighted several alarming trends observed during the election. His team noted systemic pressure on rural and minority regions, as well as reports of voter ID cards being collected by Georgian Dream representatives, which created an environment of fear and facilitated vote-buying schemes. He stated that while new technologies were introduced to streamline the voting process, issues with ballot secrecy and widespread intimidation detracted from the electoral process’s legitimacy.
European Reactions and Criticisms of Georgian Dream’s Victory
Georgia’s political crisis has not gone unnoticed by the international community, particularly among European organizations. ESCO criticized the elections as conducted in a polarized and restrictive environment. These findings cast further doubt on the fairness of the election, especially as European nations and pro-European Georgian citizens increasingly view the ruling party as an impediment to Georgia’s European Union integration ambitions.
Also on Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States agreed with observers’ calls for a thorough investigation.
The outcome has also sparked controversy over Russia’s apparent endorsement of the election results, with Russian the chief editor of the Kremlin-funded news agencies RT and Sputnik, Margarita Simonyan and diplomat Grigory Karasin publicly, without hiding Kremlin’s preference, approving Georgian Dream’s victory. This development has fueled pro-Western Georgians’ suspicions that the ruling party is aligning more closely with Russia, a concern that resonates deeply given Georgia’s long-standing aspirations for EU and NATO membership.
Later Salome Zurabishvili, a president of Georgia, made a comment about the elections and organized a protest on 28th October evening to show the world that Georgian people aren’t going to give up so the outcomes are still to unfold.
In a country at a crossroads between pro-European aspirations and historical ties with Russia, the fallout from these elections could significantly impact Georgia’s political trajectory. The erosion of democratic integrity in the electoral process has left pro-European Georgians feeling disenfranchised, as they continue to advocate for a future in alignment with Western values. With the opposition vowing to fight the results and international organizations closely scrutinizing the situation, the coming months may be decisive in shaping Georgia’s place on the global stage.
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