"The statement from the President of the United States makes clear that this election and its results cannot be considered legitimate, as they are completely falsified and the election process has been hijacked," said Badri Japaridze, leader of the Strong Georgia coalition.
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At today’s coalition briefing, it was noted that, in the 33 years of multi-party elections in Georgia, no previous US president has made such a statement regarding the election results.
"In the statement from the president of the most powerful country in the world - a country that is a steadfast defender of our territorial integrity, sovereignty, and the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of our people - it is clear there is no trust in the recent elections held in Georgia. This statement highlights that in recent years, Georgia has experienced democratic backsliding, with these elections marked by numerous incidents of illegal use of administrative resources, voter intimidation, and coercion. President Biden calls for an investigation into this fraud and the electoral process itself," said Badri Japaridze, leader of the Strong Georgia coalition.
Strong Georgia is demanding a thorough and transparent investigation by an internationally respected body.
"Most importantly, we demand that the voter registration machines be unlocked and records made public so the public can see the voter lists from October 26. This will clearly show tens of thousands of names of people who were not in Georgia, where votes were instead cast by forgers hired by Georgian Dream," Japaridze said.
According to coalition representative Salome Samadashvili, no democratic country has recognized the October 26 election results because "a crime was committed."
"The only ones celebrating these election results are Russia, its official representatives, and Russian propagandists, who are congratulating the Georgian people on their ‘return to Russia’s sphere of influence.’ This is not a fictional story. Georgia will never return to Russia’s influence, and we, the democratic opposition, will fight to ensure these election results do not hinder the country's European future. This is why an international investigation is essential.
Until a thorough investigation is conducted and completed, these elections cannot be considered legitimate," said Salome Samadashvili.
As per data from the Central Election Commission of Georgia, Georgian Dream won nearly 54% of the vote in the parliamentary elections. Opposition parties that crossed the threshold - Coalition for Change (11%), Unity - National Movement (10%), Strong Georgia (8.8%), and Gakharia for Georgia (7.7%) - do not recognize the legitimacy of these results. A key demand of these parties is an international investigation. On October 28, during a rally on Rustaveli Avenue, opposition members called for new elections administered by an International Election Administration. President Salome Zourabichvili also stated that the elections were "totally falsified."
Hungary, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, China, and Venezuela have congratulated Georgian Dream on its election victory.
