A Western delegation of election observers coordinated by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has raised concerns over the fairness of last night’s parliamentary elections in Georgia, citing instances of voter intimidation, vote-buying, and procedural inconsistencies. While election day voting was “generally well-organised,” the delegation emphasized that the broader election process was marred by significant irregularities.

In a statement, Iulian Bulai, head of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) delegation, highlighted specific issues observed during the electoral process. “During our observation, we noted cases of vote-buying and double-voting before and during elections, especially in rural areas,” Bulai said. He added that the presence of surveillance cameras within polling stations created an atmosphere of pressure, deterring some voters from casting ballots freely. Bulai further disclosed that an observer’s car had been vandalized, which he described as indicative of an “intimidating environment” for election monitors.

The ruling Georgian Dream party declared victory after the polls closed, asserting a majority based on data from the national electoral commission. However, opposition parties have strongly contested the results, accusing the Georgian Dream of “rigging” the election.

Observers pointed to a highly polarized pre-election environment, with the OSCE delegation reporting an uneven playing field that benefited the ruling party. Antonio Lopez-Isturiz White, an observer from the European Parliament, described the campaign atmosphere as “tense and highly polarised,” with evidence suggesting efforts to influence and manipulate the vote. “Although, outwardly, the campaign was quite subdued, there were signs that efforts were underway to undermine and manipulate the vote,” he noted.

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) documented compromised voter privacy in 24% of the cases it monitored, further raising concerns over electoral integrity. This lack of voter secrecy, coupled with issues of vote manipulation, has fueled skepticism around the legitimacy of the results.

According to the observers, financial and media imbalances between parties also influenced the election outcome. They reported that Georgian Dream, the incumbent party, benefitted from significantly greater financial resources during the campaign. In addition, local media demonstrated clear political biases, with Georgian Dream receiving a disproportionately high amount of on-screen coverage, potentially skewing public opinion.

The OSCE and other international observers are expected to continue their assessment in the coming days, while Georgian opposition leaders have called for an independent investigation into the alleged irregularities. The OSCE report noted that the allegations of “vote-buying, double-voting, and intimidation tactics” raised questions about the democratic standards of Georgia’s electoral system.

As Georgia moves forward, this election may lead to increased scrutiny from the international community regarding electoral practices in the country, with calls for reforms to strengthen transparency and voter confidence. Observers underscored that addressing these issues would be critical for Georgia’s democratic future and its international reputation.