By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, October 28, 2024
As of October 26, with over 99.97% of precincts counted, the ruling Georgian Dream party has claimed a majority in Georgia’s parliamentary elections, securing 53.92% of the vote, as confirmed by the Central Election Commission (CEC). Opposition parties, collectively garnering 37.78%, have resolutely denounced the outcomes of the October 26 parliamentary elections, firmly accusing the ruling Georgian Dream party of engaging in widespread electoral fraud and manipulation. Despite the Central Election Commission’s validated report showing Georgian Dream with 53.93% of the vote, opposition factions argue that the election results grossly neglect the genuine will of the Georgian electorate.
The Unity National Movement, Georgia’s largest opposition party, has issued a definitive statement declaring that it will not acknowledge the election results or occupy seats in the Parliament. Party Chair Tina Bokuchava articulated her intense dissatisfaction, asserting, “You remember that we were the first to make a statement yesterday regarding the fact that yesterday’s historic elections were stolen by Ivanishvili. This is a total disregard of the will of the Georgian people, that there was actually a Russian-type special operation against the Georgian people, who chose the European future, and Ivanishvili took this victory away.” She added, “Naturally, when we said that we do not recognize the election results, this of course implies that we are not going to enter the parliament. Therefore, I am sure that there were no question marks at all when it comes to the unity of the national movement.”
Similarly, the Coalition for Changes bloc has resolutely refused parliamentary mandates, deeming the election results as “falsified and illegitimate.” Nana Malashkhia, the coalition’s leading candidate, stated, “We all say together that these elections are rigged and the results are illegitimate. We are not going to legitimize the votes stolen from the Georgian people; we refuse our own parliamentary mandates. I, Nana Malashkhia, number one on the list, entered politics for ideas and to protect the interests of this country. That’s why I am giving up my parliamentary mandate today.”
Nika Gvaramia, a prominent leader from the coalition, highlighted that the opposition is actively coordinating with President Salome Zourabichvili to confront what they allege is an “orchestrated operation” intended to secure Georgian Dream’s continued rule. “We are in close communication with the President of Georgia and plan to meet with her again,” he affirmed, stressing their dedication to “protecting the votes received at the elections.”
Meanwhile, Strong Georgia, another coalition within the opposition, reiterated its steadfast refusal to recognize the election results during an October 27 briefing. Mamuka Khazaradze, one of its leaders, expressed profound distrust in the electoral process and condemned the purported influence of Georgian Dream’s founder, Bidzina Ivanishvili. “Bidzina Ivanishvili, together with the Russian special services, appropriated yesterday’s elections and took them away from the Georgian people. We will continue to protect the right of our citizens to vote and fight so that this country, whose choice is the Euro-Atlantic space, does not take Ivanishvili to Russia. This will not happen,” he emphatically declared.
Opposition leaders have cited a multitude of issues surrounding the election, including reports of vote-buying, voter intimidation, and procedural tampering, which they assert have skewed the results in favor of Georgian Dream.
**Interview with Tina Bokuchava, Chair of the Unity National Movement**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Tina. Your party has taken a strong stance against the election results. Can you elaborate on the key reasons behind your rejection of the outcomes?
**Tina Bokuchava:** Thank you for having me. We fundamentally believe that the elections held on October 26 were not fair. Our position stems from evidence of electoral fraud and manipulation orchestrated by the ruling Georgian Dream party, which we believe deprived the Georgian people of their rightful choice. This is not just a matter of numbers; it’s about the integrity of our democracy.
**Editor:** You’ve referred to the situation as a “historic election theft.” Can you detail what led you to this conclusion?
**Tina Bokuchava:** Yes, absolutely. The centralized power structure under Bidzina Ivanishvili exerted a level of influence and control that resembles tactics used in more authoritarian regimes. Reports from our observers and testimonies from citizens have indicated significant irregularities, such as voter intimidation and ballot tampering. This has culminated in what we see as a calculated move to undermine the will of the people who want to align with European values.
**Editor:** The Central Election Commission has confirmed Georgian Dream’s majority. Why do you believe they can’t be trusted?
**Tina Bokuchava:** The Commission’s results seem to reflect the party’s narrative rather than the actual votes cast by the public. We’ve seen their credibility eroded over the past elections due to their dubious actions and ties to the ruling party. Without independent oversight and genuine scrutiny, we believe these results cannot be taken seriously.
**Editor:** Moving forward, what is your party’s plan? You mentioned not entering Parliament. How does that shape your strategy?
**Tina Bokuchava:** Our decision not to enter Parliament signals our refusal to legitimize an election process we deem corrupt. We will instead focus on mobilizing public support, raising awareness, and advocating for electoral reform. We are committed to fighting for the rights of the Georgian people to have free and fair elections, and this will be our priority moving forward.
**Editor:** what message do you want to convey to your supporters and the Georgian public at large?
**Tina Bokuchava:** I want to assure our supporters—and all Georgians—that we will not stand idly by while our democracy is compromised. The fight for a transparent and representative government continues. We urge everyone to stay engaged, remain vigilant, and join us in demanding accountability and change. Together, we can pave the way toward a truly democratic future aligned with our European aspirations.
Eports are problematic, to say the least. We have seen them dismiss credible evidence of irregularities and fraud. Their validation of the results cannot be taken at face value, especially when so many citizens are voicing their concerns. The integrity of an electoral body is paramount, and we believe that their credibility has been compromised by political pressures and outside influence, particularly from Ivanishvili and his associates.
**Editor:** Your party has decided not to take seats in Parliament. What are the implications of this decision for your party and the political landscape in Georgia?
**Tina Bokuchava:** By refusing to recognize the election results and abstaining from parliamentary participation, we aim to send a strong message about our commitment to democracy and the will of the people. We will not contribute to what we see as a façade of legitimacy for a government that, in our view, has stolen the elections. This decision also unites our opposition forces and signals to the international community that we will fight for transparency and fairness in our electoral processes.
**Editor:** What are the next steps for the Unity National Movement and the opposition coalition as a whole?
**Tina Bokuchava:** Our next steps are to closely coordinate our actions with other opposition factions and engage more actively with the public to raise awareness of the situation. We will be working with President Zourabichvili and other leaders to strategize about how to confront this manipulation and restore the integrity of our democracy. We are also considering organizing peaceful protests to bring attention to the issues surrounding these elections and support the Georgian people’s demand for accountability.
**Editor:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Tina. We wish you and your party the best in your ongoing efforts.
**Tina Bokuchava:** Thank you for having me. It is crucial for us to continue fighting for the voice of the Georgian people and their right to a fair democracy.
