CEC Claims Allegations of Election Rigging Are Baseless
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, December 25, 2024
The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Georgia has claimed that the October 26 parliamentary elections were conducted fairly and denied accusations of rigging made by President Salome Zourabichvili. In a statement issued today, the CEC described the allegations as baseless and politically motivated, asserting its adherence to transparency and professionalism throughout the electoral process.
The President alleged that the elections were rigged and illegitimate, but the CEC rejected these claims, claiming that no substantial evidence has been presented to support them. "The statements that the elections were rigged are entirely baseless and represent a politically motivated disregard for the facts," the commission stated.
The CEC claimed that international observers, including the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission, had assessed the elections positively, highlighting their compliance with legal standards despite minor procedural shortcomings. The commission further claimed that these issues had no significant impact on the results.
In response to the fraud allegations, the CEC initiated a request for an official investigation to ensure transparency. "No concrete evidence has been provided to substantiate these accusations," the commission asserted.
The CEC accused the President of perpetuating narratives aligned with politically interested groups, warning that such statements risk damaging public trust in Georgia's democratic institutions. "We call on all parties, including the President, to provide evidence if available or to refrain from making unsubstantiated claims," the CEC said.
Reiterating its commitment to accountability, the CEC claimed it would continue to counter disinformation and work toward strengthening trust in the electoral process, urging all stakeholders to prioritize collaboration over polarization.
