Ruling party official claims “gross interference” by NDI in electoral processes ahead of elections

Givi Mikanadze, the Chair of the Parliament’s Committee on Education, Science and Youth Affairs, on Thursday alleged “gross interference” by the United States-based National Democratic Institute in electoral processes ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for October 26.

Mikanadze claimed the organisation had funded and organised meetings of domestic opposition parties “in various regions”.

During the reporting period, several facts of gross interference in the electoral processes by a foreign power were revealed. Meetings of opposition political parties and their representatives in various regions of Georgia were funded and organised by the National Democratic Institute”, he said.

The official noted the first such meeting was held on June 17 in the country’s western city of Kutaisi, where opposition leaders Salome Samadashvili, Khatia Dekanoidze, Ana Tsitlidze, Teona Akubardia and Tamar Kordzaia were given the opportunity to carry out campaigning with local citizens.

He also noted a meeting on July 13, when leaders of the opposition United National Movement, Lelo, Girchi, Girchi - More Freedom and Yes to Europe - Strategy Aghmashenebeli parties held a meeting with citizens in the town of Tsnori.