Local observers report initial violations in Georgia's parliamentary elections

Local observation organizations have noted several violations during the parliamentary elections in Georgia, which began on October 26.

Reports indicate issues such as late openings of polling stations, temporarily inoperative electronic machines, and instances where voters received two ballots instead of one, Caliber.Az reports via Georgian media.

This election marks the first time Georgia is using a purely proportional representation system with electronic technologies for verification and counting.

Eighteen electoral subjects are participating in the elections, and while NGOs have highlighted problems with the electronic ballot reading machines, they also noted that most issues were resolved relatively quickly, allowing voting to resume at all polling stations.

Observers reported multiple cases of voters receiving two ballots, with numbers ranging from three to five. However, the Central Election Commission (CEC) has only confirmed one such incident without specifying the polling station involved.

In a separate development, a criminal investigation has been initiated concerning ballot stuffing at a polling station in Marneuli, located in the Kvemo Kartli region.

Giorgi Kalandarishvili, Chair of the Central Election Commission, reported that footage showed an unidentified individual approaching the ballot box and depositing multiple envelopes at polling station No.79, which is operating under the previous electoral system.

Kalandarishvili indicated that the Interior Ministry has already launched a criminal case regarding this matter. He urged the ministry to expedite the investigation so that the CEC can provide the public with accurate and clear information. Additionally, he has called on the Marneuli District Commission to convene and address the situation promptly.

By Vafa Guliyeva