Georgia to partially recount ballots after opposition claims election fraud

Georgia’s central election commission announced a partial recount of ballots on Tuesday, following opposition claims that the recent parliamentary election was “stolen.” The recount will cover about 14% of the vote, with ballots from five polling stations randomly selected in each district, according to a statement from the commission.

The recount comes amid heightened tensions, with opposition parties refusing to recognize the results of Saturday’s election. The ruling Georgian Dream Party secured 53.9% of the vote, while a union of four opposition alliances garnered 37.7%, according to near-complete results.

US and European criticism

U.S. President Joe Biden expressed concern over what he described as “democratic backsliding” in Georgia, citing “voter intimidation and coercion” in the election. European Union officials also condemned electoral “irregularities,” adding pressure on the Georgian government to address opposition grievances.

Opposition parties have rejected the election results, calling for fresh elections to be conducted by an international administration. A prominent group of Georgia’s election monitors also reported large-scale fraud, particularly in rural areas, demanding the annulment of at least 15% of the votes.

A busy day in #Georgia. As it is usual after elections, some people were happy, some were less happy. But we stood by the cause of peace! 🇭🇺🇬🇪 pic.twitter.com/LGUpjLyTT0

— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) October 29, 2024

Protests and international reactions

Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Tbilisi on Monday, with further demonstrations planned for Tuesday evening. The protests have drawn attention from both domestic and international observers, with many calling for a more transparent electoral process.

Despite the criticism, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has maintained close ties with Russia, traveled to Tbilisi in a show of support for the ruling Georgian Dream party. During a press conference, Orban praised the election as “free and democratic,” congratulating Georgians for “voting for peace” and avoiding becoming “a second Ukraine.” His remarks were met with jeers from protesters, who accused him of legitimizing a “stolen” election.

Controversial election campaign

The Georgian Dream party’s campaign was marked by a narrative warning of an imminent threat of war, with the party presenting itself as the only option to prevent Georgia from being dragged into the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The opposition has criticized this narrative, arguing that it distracts from more pressing democratic concerns and steers Georgia away from its European Union aspirations.

Georgia’s ruling party has faced growing accusations of moving the country closer to Russia’s influence, a claim reinforced by protests earlier this year against a controversial law on “foreign influence,” which critics likened to Russian legislation used to stifle dissent.

The ongoing dispute over the election results raises questions about Georgia’s future direction, particularly its efforts to join the EU, a goal that has faced delays amid increasing political unrest.