This general election is widely seen as a defining moment in determining Georgia’s international standing. This could determine whether Georgia is tilted towards the European Union (EU) or towards Moscow.
Ana Natsvlishvili, an opposition politician from the Strong Georgia Party, said law enforcement authorities were idling despite the fact that “organized criminal groups are trying to undermine the voting process with aggression and intimidation.” He said he was drunk.
Georgian President Salome Jouravitchvili called on the Interior Ministry to remove criminals from polling places.
National Assembly speaker Mamuka Mdinaradze of the ruling Georgian Dream party speculated that opposition TV channels may be “preparing a special operation” to create a confusing impression.
A polling station in Manouli, southern Georgia, was closed after a video showing a man believed to be a ruling party leader stuffing dozens of ballots into a ballot box was circulated online. An investigation into possible “election fraud” has been launched and Georgia’s Central Election Commission said ballots cast at those polling places will be invalidated.
Georgia’s Central Election Commission reported voter turnout at 41.62% as of 3pm Tbilisi time.
