Ruling party official claims domestic opposition, associated entities have “switched to radical actions” ahead of elections

Givi Mikanadze, the Chair of the Parliament’s Committee on Education, Science and Youth Affairs, on Thursday claimed the domestic opposition and “entities related to them” had “switched to the radical actions” involving “direct interference” in election campaigning ahead of the upcoming parliamentary vote scheduled for October 26.

Mikanadze recalled incidents of campaign banners, billboards and flags of the ruling Georgian Dream party being damaged by members of domestic opposition parties in cities and villages throughout the country.

He also noted the opposition-leaning Mtavari Arkhi, TV Pirveli and Formula TV channels had refused to air the ruling party’s campaign ads.

Mikanadze also urged domestic monitoring organisations to reflect multiple campaign violations in their interim or summary reports.

Despite numerous appeals, violations presented against the Georgian Dream [party] are being ignored by domestic monitoring organisations”, he claimed.

We demand domestic monitoring organisations reflect the multiple campaign violations we have made public and reflected in the reports uploaded on the Georgian Dream [party’s official] Facebook page in their interim or summary reports”, he said.

Mikanadze also appealed to international monitoring organisations to reflect in their reports and “properly evaluate” election violations against the ruling party “being ignored” by domestic monitoring organisations.