The October 26 parliamentary elections in Georgia were marked by unprecedented incidents and systemic violations, both during the election campaign and on the day of voting, – the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania states about this.
According to the agency, the violations include allegations of vote bribery, cases of physical violence at polling stations, including attacks and threatening language towards independent observers, and actions aimed at restricting media activities.
“However, the most disturbing evidence of interference concerns the mass attacks on political opponents of the ruling party as well as civil society organizations, including promises to prosecute and ban them after the elections, the systematic use of disinformation in the election campaign, and the use of state institutions and administrative resources throughout the election process.” “, – it is mentioned in the statement.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania emphasizes that the scale and systemic nature of the violations, as well as the sharp discrepancy between the independent exit polls and the announced result, seriously question the legitimacy of these elections and their final outcome.
“These violations were registered by a number of international and local independent observers. The scale and systemic nature of the violations, as well as the sharp discrepancy between the independent exit polls and the announced results, seriously question the legitimacy of these elections and their final outcome. The President of Georgia refused to accept the result. In this context, Lithuania finds it difficult to recognize these elections as free and fair elections,” the statement said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania emphasizes that the democratic rights of the Georgian people must be protected and any attempt to violate these rights is completely unacceptable. The agency calls for an independent international investigation into the elections and all the violations observed during them.
In addition, the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania emphasizes that the process of Georgia’s accession to the European Union has already been suspended due to the adoption of highly controversial legislation by the Parliament of Georgia.
“Irregularities in the parliamentary elections of Georgia make this path even more difficult. All responsibility for the results rests with the ruling party of Georgia and its leaders. We believe that the political contacts of the European Union with Georgia will remain suspended and the financial assistance of the Georgian government will be frozen. Moreover, additional deterrent measures against those responsible for rigging the elections should be considered without delay,” the statement said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes that Lithuania will continue to stand by the Georgian people and their European choice, as well as unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia.