Georgia certifies election results - Central Committee head doused in paint
Photo: the head of the Central Committee of Georgia was covered with paint (ekhokavkaza.com)
Georgia has officially certified the results of the parliamentary elections. The head of the Central Election Commission, Giorgi Kalandarishvili, was doused with black paint, reports Echo of the Caucasus.
At a meeting of Georgia’s Central Election Commission (CEC), Secretary Giorgi Javakhishvili presented the protocol data to the commission members:
- Georgian Dream - 53.93% (89 seats)
- For Change Coalition - 11.03% (19 seats)
- Unity - National Movement - 10.17% (16 seats)
- Strong Georgia Coalition - 8.81% (14 seats)
- For Georgia (led by Giorgi Gakharia) - 7.78% (12 seats)
The newly elected parliament must convene no later than 10 days after the official results are published. During this session, MPs are expected to approve the new government.
The opposition has rejected the election results, alleging fraud.
During the announcement of the election results, a verbal altercation broke out between CEC Chair Giorgi Kalandarishvili and David Kirtradze, a representative of the Unity - National Movement party.
Following the exchange, the opposition representative doused the CEC Chair with black paint. Kirtradze accused Kalandarishvili of election fraud and harboring pro-Russian views.
“You are a disgrace, a disgrace to our country, and a black mark,” Kirtradze declared.
The Georgian police have opened a case based on a complaint from the CEC. The case is classified under Article 118 of the Georgian Criminal Code – intentional infliction of less serious harm to health.
Additionally, several dozen people gathered outside the CEC building, protesting the approved election results. Police officers were dispatched to the scene.
Elections in Georgia
On October 26, parliamentary elections were held in Georgia, with the pro-Russian Georgian Dream party, which has governed the country for over 10 years, securing a majority according to CEC data.
Observers reported numerous violations during the voting process. The opposition refused to recognize the election results and announced a boycott of the new parliament.
Amid these developments, protests under the slogan “No to Russian Elections” have erupted in Georgia.
