WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 28, 2024) –On October 26, Georgians went to the polls to elect all 150 members of parliament. According to international and domestic election observers, election day administration was conducted professionally and efficiently in most precincts, but there were incidents of voter intimidation, obstruction of observers, violence, ballot stuffing, double voting, confiscation of personal IDs, and other significant irregularities across the country. The International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) stated that the violations had a serious impact on the results of the elections, and other observers noted that violations were significantly higher than in previous elections.
Voter turnout was 58.94 percent, and according to preliminary results, the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party secured 54.09 percent, Unity-UNM 10.12 percent, Coalition for Change 10.92 percent, Strong Georgia 8.78 percent, and For Georgia 7.76 percent. Other parties did not clear the five percent threshold. These results stand in stark contrast to several exit poll findings, including those conducted by independent Edison Research, which all placed GD between 40 and 42 percent, and the combined opposition well above 50 percent.
The four main opposition parties have declared the elections invalid and have called for an annulment and citizen protests.
McCain Institute Director Evelyn Farkas commented, “John McCain stood by the Georgian people in their darkest hour in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion in 2008 and supported Georgians’ aspirations to join the community of democracy until his dying day. Today, Georgia is still under Russian occupation, and its democracy has precipitously declined under the Georgian Dream leadership. These elections represent another step backward.”
Conduct undermining the integrity of the election process marred the pre election environment. The GD government’s implementation of the new foreign agents law to stifle and intimidate civil society, violent physical attacks on civil society, political, and media figures, GD’s refusal to implement promised electoral reform, widespread disinformation campaigns, and fear-mongering all shaped the political landscape. The government campaigned on a pledge of autocratic measures, including the elimination of all opposition parties and “Nuremburg” trials to imprison representatives from civil society, media, and opposition who have criticized them. The government, aided by Kremlin information campaigns, stoked fear, warning of war if voters did not choose GD.
The campaign period was also marked by familiar tactics of government intimidation, particularly of state employees, abuse of state resources, vote buying, and sporadic violence.
“Before the polls even opened, the fairness of the elections was in doubt,” said Laura Thornton, senior director for global democracy programs. “Government attacks on civil society and media, a climate of fear and intimidation, a compromised election commission, GD threats to ban opposition parties, all undermine the ability to hold a credible election.”
The McCain Institute calls for immediate investigations of election violations and violence and the adjudication of electoral complaints. We will continue to monitor developments in the post-election period, standing in solidarity with Georgian democrats.
About the McCain Institute at Arizona State University
The McCain Institute is a nonpartisan organization inspired by Senator John McCain and his family’s dedication to public service. We are part of Arizona State University and based in Washington, D.C. Our programs defend democracy, advance human rights and freedom, and empower character-driven leaders. Our unique power to convene leaders across the global political spectrum enables us to make a real impact on the world’s most pressing challenges. Our goal is action, not talk, and like Senator McCain, we are fighting to create a free, safe, and just world for all.
About Arizona State University
Arizona State University has developed a new model for the American research university, creating an institution that is committed to access, excellence and impact. ASU measures itself by those it includes, not by those it excludes. As the prototype for a New American University, ASU pursues research that contributes to the public good, and ASU assumes major responsibility for the economic, social and cultural vitality of the communities that surround it.
