The General Prosecutor's Office of Georgia confirms that, as part of the ongoing investigation, voter verification machines used in the parliamentary elections have been sealed. According to the investigative agency, this measure aims to ensure the security of the information stored in the devices.
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"The legitimate purpose of the investigation is to request information stored in the verification machines, which contains data on voters recorded at the polling stations, based on a court ruling.
After obtaining the information, a computer/technical examination is planned to determine, among other issues, whether any voter duplication occurred and whether there are cases of people voting in Georgia on behalf of those residing abroad," stated the Prosecutor's Office.
The investigative agency emphasizes that since the verification devices operate using complex computer programs provided by the US-licensed company Smartmatic, the process of requesting information and conducting further expert studies will involve the company to "ensure the maximum preservation and protection of the existing data."
The Prosecutor's Office also states that the interrogation of all individuals who may possess information related to the alleged election fraud is continuing "intensively," including employees of the Central Election Commission (CEC).
"The acquisition and analysis of relevant information related to the elections, including data disseminated through public sources, is ongoing. To establish facts critical to the case, appropriate examinations have been initiated, documents and information have been requested, and other investigative actions are being conducted," the Prosecutor's Office said. They further called on political party representatives to "refrain from spreading unverified information that lacks legal grounds and aims solely to discredit the Prosecutor's Office and the ongoing investigation."
On October 30, the General Prosecutor's Office launched a criminal case under the charge of election fraud, based on an appeal from the Central Election Commission. Prior to the investigation, opposition parties unsuccessfully demanded that the CEC disclose the database of citizens who participated in the elections, which is stored in the verification machines. Opposition representatives have expressed distrust in the ongoing investigation, suggesting that the Prosecutor's Office may be complicit in falsifying voter lists.
