Georgia Launches Investigation Into Allegations of Election Fraud

The country of Georgia launched an investigation into allegations of voter fraud in last weekend’s parliamentary election, officials said Wednesday.

The Georgian Dream ruling party, which has deepened the nation’s connection to Russia, declared victory in Saturday’s election after authorities said it won roughly 54 percent of the vote with almost all the ballots counted.

Many Georgians saw the election as a choice between continuing to support the ruling party and wanting closer integration with the European Union (EU).

Georgia, a country of 3.7 million people lying between Russia and Turkey, was granted the status of an EU candidate in 2022. But the process was indefinitely halted after the Georgian Dream-led parliament adopted a “foreign influence law,” which is similar to the laws enacted by Russia to crack down on dissent.

Election Fraud Claims

European observers said Saturday’s election took place in a “divisive” environment of intimidation and instances of vote-buying double voting and physical violence. Meanwhile, Georgian observers reported multiple violations, saying the results do not reflect “the will of the Georgian people.”

A crowd of thousands rallied outside the parliament building Monday night to hear opposition speakers, including President Salome Zourabichvili, decry what they called a stolen election.

On Wednesday, the Prosecutor’s Office in Georgia said it launched an investigation into the election fraud claims. The probe was requested by the Central Election Commission (CEC) and Zourabichvili was summoned for questioning Thursday about the allegations. Meanwhile, others “who may possess information related to the alleged criminal act” would also be questioned, the Prosecutor’s Office said.

The CEC said in a statement that ballots from five polling stations randomly selected in each election district will be recounted in an effort to address some of the accusations.

Opposition Raises Doubts About Investigation

The opposition immediately raised objections that the Prosecutor’s Office would not act independently because its leader was appointed by the Georgian Dream-led parliament.

Salome Samadashvili of the opposition Strong Georgia coalition questioned whether the Prosecutor’s Office was independent of the influence of Bidzina Ivanishvili, a billionaire who set up the ruling party. Ivanishvili made his fortune in Russia and served a brief stint as Georgia’s prime minister in the early 2010’s, but he has mostly stayed out of public view since 2013.

“If somebody thinks that they can fool the Georgian people or our international partners into believing that Bidzina will investigate his own election fraud, they are mistaken. Nobody can be fooled,” Samadashvili said.

She added: “That is why we are saying that the investigation should be conducted by an international mission with the adequate mandate and qualifications. Until this is done, this election cannot and will not have legitimacy or trust.”

Meanwhile, Zourabichvili, whose leadership role is mostly ceremonial, suggested that “Russian elections” were held in the nation and said “technology was used to whitewash counterfeiting. Such a thing has never happened before.”

What Has the Ruling Party Said?

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, a member of Georgian Dream, called claims of election fraud “baseless” and asked if Zourabichvili or anyone else had evidence of vote-rigging, to turn it over.

“Whether it’s Salome Zourabichvili or anyone else, if they have any evidence, they should submit it to the Prosecutor’s Office and the relevant authorities instead of making baseless oral statements about events that never happened. This is their responsibility,” Kobakhidze said.

He added: “However, I am certain that, since she has no facts, she won’t dare to go to the Prosecutor’s Office or provide them with any information regarding the accusations she is making verbally.”

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.