Official election results published by Georgia's Central Election Commission

High Turnout, Ballot Stuffing Alleged in Georgia's Pivotal Election

Oct 26, 2024, 09:35 AM

Georgia held pivotal parliamentary elections on October 26, with many citizens viewing the vote as crucial for the country's future direction—whether it aligns more closely with the European Union or Russia. High voter turnout was reported, reaching 50.6% by 5 PM. The ruling party, Georgian Dream, faced strong challenges from a coalition of pro-European opposition parties, including the Coalition for Change. Reports emerged of electoral irregularities, including ballot stuffing in Marneuli and attacks on election observers. The opposition won decisively in overseas polling stations, such as those in China and Australia. President Salome Zourabichvili highlighted the significance of the election, implicitly supporting the opposition's prospects. Conflicting exit polls were released: some indicated that Georgian Dream was leading with approximately 56% of the vote, while others showed opposition parties collectively surpassing 50%. Nika Melia, a leader of the Coalition for Change, stated that Georgian Dream was polling below 40%. The final results are expected soon, and the outcome will significantly impact Georgia's democratic trajectory and its aspirations for European integration.