Protesters clash with special forces in Tbilisi over disputed election results

The pro-Russian ruling party, Georgian Dream, has already celebrated an alleged "victory" in the local elections. An exit poll conducted by GORBI indicated that Georgian Dream candidates are winning mayoral races in all major cities by a wide margin.

Amid the contested preliminary results, protesters gathered near the President's residence in Tbilisi and broke through the iron fences separating the yard from the street.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia stated that the protesters’ attempts to enter the President’s residence had gone beyond the framework of assemblies and demonstrations provided by law. The ministry said the organizers had called for violence and urged all participants to comply with lawful police orders and avoid escalation. It added that, otherwise, law enforcement officers would take measures stipulated by legislation.

Currently, special forces have begun using water cannons against protesters near the President’s residence to disperse the crowd.

Footage circulating online shows authorities also deploying tear gas against demonstrators.

Protesters are reportedly constructing barricades.

Elections in Georgia

Today, Georgia held local elections. Citizens voted for 64 mayors: 5 mayors of self-governing cities and 59 district mayors. To win, a candidate must receive more than 50% of the votes cast.

More than 2,000 deputies were also elected to 64 local advisory councils. The threshold for parties to enter these councils is 4%.

Eight leading opposition parties refused to participate in the elections. They called the vote a "farce" and a "Russian special operation" aimed at legitimizing Georgian Dream. In response, they organized a protest in Tbilisi.

For more details on events over the past few hours, read RBC-Ukraine's report.