Election administration Chair calls for “urgent investigation” into alleged electoral violation in eastern Georgia

Giorgi Kalandarishvili, the Chair of Georgia's Central Election Commission, on Saturday called for an “immediate investigation” into alleged electoral violation in the ongoing general elections following the circulation of a video that showed an individual throwing multiple ballots into a ballot box at the 69th polling station of Marneuli in eastern Georgia. 

This is troubling information, and the election administration, if confirmed, will not allow such isolated, controlled, or manipulative incidents to undermine the many months of efforts we have put forth into the election day”, Kalandarishvili pledged. 

In his press comments, the official stressed the importance of addressing the situation “swiftly”, urging the Marneuli election commission to “convene a session and clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident”. 

Kalandarishvili also appealed to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to “expedite their proceedings” on the matter, highlighting the potential damage that such incidents could inflict on the electoral process. 

As far as I know, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has initiated a criminal case on the mentioned issue. I would like to ask the Ministry to carry out the process as quickly as possible in order to provide the public with objective, accurate information within the scope of our competence”, the CEC Chair said. 

He further warned “all cases of electoral misconduct, whether verified or not, have the potential to harm the integrity of the polling day and the reputation of the electoral institutions”, and reiterated his call for “urgent clarification and appropriate decision-making” from the district election commission. 

CEC later announced voting was "temporarily suspended" at the polling station and added shortly: "the district election commission promptly convened an emergency meeting, declaring the data from the 69th polling station of Marneuli invalid".