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International Observers Report Voting Irregularities and Intimidation in Georgia’s Elections
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.
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Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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