Georgia’s ruling party alleges assault on party coordinator in western Georgia on election day

Givi Mikanadze, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Saturday condemned an alleged incident in Khobi, western Georgia, where a United National Movement opposition representative had reportedly slapped its coordinator on an election day. 

In his press comments, the official said Vitali Korshia, the Chair of the Khobi organisation of the UNM, had come to the #1 polling station, where he had argued with Natia Gabisonia, a GD coordinator. 

Korshia slapped Natia Gabisonia in the face, and this particular incident took place in a minibus near the polling station”, the lawmaker told the press. 

The official noted the incident “was promptly reported” to emergency services, with police “actively investigating” the case, adding “we will, of course, follow the progress of this issue”. 

Mikanadze further highlighted the “legal right” of party coordinators to “mobilise voters”, claiming such activities were within the law. 

No one has the right to take specific documents from them. This is a violation of the law, which we will respond to in all cases”, Mikanadze asserted.

The MP also accused journalists from the “opposition-leaning” channels, specifically naming TV Pirveli, of “engaging in actions that disrupt the election process”, blaming them for “interfering with the election commission’s work”. 

The official further presented information on alleged election-day violations against GD representatives or “through the involvement of opposition members or activists”. 

Mikanadze reported several incidents in Rustavi in central Georgia, where he claimed campaign materials displaying the opposition number five and posters appeared near polling areas, “breaching the law prohibiting campaigning within 25 metres of polling stations”. 

He also claimed in Lagodekhi in eastern Georgia, a citizen identified as Khvicha Kuzibashvili had been observed near the 31st polling station with a brooch marked with the opposition number nine, which Mikanadze classified as “unlawful campaigning”.

Similarly, in Kutaisi, western Georgia, Eka Tsartsidze of the Lelo opposition party, was reportedly seen with a number nine brooch and was subsequently expelled from the polling station following a complaint, he added. 

Mikanadze also denounced allegations of voter bribery spread by members of the For Georgia opposition party, who had circulated videos allegedly depicting bribery incidents in Poti, Kutaisi, and Bolnisi. The MP described the videos as “misleading” and an attempt to create "wrong perceptions" among the public.

In Tbilisi’s Chugureti district, a representative of the Academy of the Future of Georgia organisation, reportedly aligned with the Ahali opposition party, was accused of taking photographs of voters at the ballot box, which Mikanadze claimed interfered with the monitoring process.

Despite the incidents, Mikanadze noted “about 3,000 polling stations have been opened across the country, with only 102 complaints having been registered so far, which indicates the election process is proceeding largely without any major incidents”. 

The MP also pledged any violations would be responded to by relevant authorities.