Georgia's Central Election Commission: President's claims on election manipulations “disinformation driven by political interests”

Georgia’s Central Election Commission on Tuesday rejected allegations made by President Salome Zourabichvili over cases of manipulation in the October 26 general elections, describing the claims as part of a “disinformation and manipulation campaign driven by specific political interests”.

In its official statement, the CEC said the President’s claims, frequently voiced over the past several weeks, were “completely unsubstantiated” and “politically motivated”. 

The claims that the elections were rigged or were illegitimate are completely unsubstantiated and represent a politically motivated disregard for the factual circumstances”, the CEC said.  

The Commission further said there were “no confirmed facts or evidence” to support the allegations of significant violations that could have impacted the final election results. 

The CEC also expressed disappointment that Zourabichvili had “repeated the narrative pushed by certain political actors”, “contributing to increased tensions”. 

Unfortunately, the President of Georgia repeats the propaganda narrative of some interested representatives and thereby tries to discredit the elections - and, consequently, the election administration at the local and international levels”, it said, adding “this contributes to even greater tension in an already polarised environment”. 

While acknowledging there were “certain concerns and shortcomings” in the election process, the CEC maintained the elections had been conducted with “professionalism and in full compliance with the law”. 

It is noteworthy the CEC administered the elections at a highly professional level and in full compliance with the legislation”, the Commission claimed, pointing to a recent assessment from the Organisation for Security and Co-Operation in Europe Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights as a “confirmation” of the national body’s commitment to transparency.

We have expressed our full readiness to consider and, to the extent possible, take into account all recommendations made to ensure the improvement of the election process”, the CEC added. “Now is the time to initiate such a process and discuss it in a calm environment between the parties involved, and not to try to bring even greater intensity”. 

In a further response to the claims of electoral fraud following the election results, the CEC reminded the public that it had requested an investigation to “assess the allegations objectively”. 

As far as is known from publicly available information, no one has presented any substantial or concrete evidence of the voiced allegations so far”, the CEC claimed. 

The Commission also called on the President and “others making similar claims” to “either provide relevant, well-founded evidence” or “refrain from spreading unsubstantiated and misleading statements” that “undermine public trust in the election process”. 

The CEC reaffirmed its “commitment to transparency and accountability”, saying “any disinformation” would be met “with a factual and comprehensive response” to “ensure that the public is accurately informed”. 

The election administration remains a firm defender of the standard of transparency and accountability”, it pledged. 

In closing, the CEC called on “all stakeholders” to “act responsibly and work to strengthen trust in Georgia’s democratic institutions”.