The Georgia Department of Elections asks the Attorney General to investigate

After the parliamentary elections in Georgia, which were accompanied by allegations of fraud, the Central Election Commission asked the Prosecutor General's Office to review data on election fraud. The Tbilisi Elections Department said that a comprehensive and objective investigation is necessary to determine whether these allegations are true or not. However, that is beyond their jurisdiction.

“We agree to cooperate with the Public Prosecution and provide it with all the information necessary for the investigation. According to its statement, the Election Commission has been subjected to major attacks and baseless criticism since the announcement of the results.” President Salome Zurabishvili and some politicians unjustifiably attacked her and tried to damage her reputation.

The Election Commission initially announced on Tuesday that it would recount ballot papers in about 14 percent of polling stations. President Zurabishvili called for an international investigation. In a conversation with RFI radio station on Tuesday, the Georgian head of state reiterated his assessment that the elections were tampered with. “This election was stolen,” Zurabishvili said, saying she did not expect anything from the election commission and its announcement that it would partially recount the results. This is biased and firmly in the hands of the ruling party. However, strong international pressure could be put on the authorities to agree to a comprehensive review of the findings.

A recount of votes is scheduled at five polling stations

According to the Electoral Commission, the ruling pro-Russian Georgian Dream party won Saturday's parliamentary elections with 54 percent of the vote. However, Zurabishvili's and independent post-election polls put the Georgian Dream at around 40 percent. Thousands demonstrated in front of the parliament building in the capital, Tbilisi, on Monday evening. The president called for the demonstration.

The Election Commission, which had previously described the elections as free and fair, announced on Tuesday that it would partially recount some votes, also due to international criticism. Five polling stations will be randomly selected in each of the 84 electoral districts. The commission’s statement said: “To ensure transparency, all accredited representatives are invited to observe the recount process.” The date for announcing the results of the recount has not been announced.

The parliamentary elections were considered a milestone for the former Soviet republic. The ruling party, which has been in power since 2012, is officially sticking to its plan to join the European Union. At the same time, the Georgian Dream is also trying to achieve rapprochement with Russia. On the other hand, the opposition and Zurabishvili want the country to be included in the European Union and liberated from Russian influence.

Orban congratulates the election winners

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was one of the first to congratulate Georgian Dream on its controversial election victory. He said on Tuesday in Tbilisi that the elections were free and democratic. Orban said in a press conference that he had read the assessments of international organizations and no one dared to question them. Hungary currently holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union.

A group of 13 EU countries around Germany expressed in a joint statement their “deep concern” about the situation in Georgia. “We condemn all violations of international standards for holding free and fair elections,” said the broadcast, which was supported by Germany and twelve other countries. They also criticized “Prime Minister Orbán's premature visit to Georgia.” According to the foreign ministers of France, Poland and Spain, among others, he does not speak on behalf of the European Union. Austria was not a member of the group. But in a post on X, the State Department called on everyone to work to “end political polarization.”

Georgia only obtained EU candidate status at the end of last year. However, the European Union halted the accession process due to the adoption of a controversial law against foreign influence. (APA/DPA)