In statements made on October 27, the EU’s chief diplomatic, Josep Borell, and U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken called for an investigation into the Georgian parliamentary election due to reports of irregularities.
International observers declared that the results of the October 26 elections were neither fair nor free. The Moscow-friendly Georgian Dream Party won almost 54%.
Pro-EU opposition groups have disputed the victory of the ruling party, and on October 27, President Salome Zourabichvili declared that she would not accept the results and called for massive protests.
Borell, in a press release, said: “We call upon the Central Election Commission of Georgia, as well as other relevant authorities, to fulfill their duty and investigate and adjudicate on any and all allegations of electoral irregularities, quickly, transparently and independently.”
“We condemn any violation of international standards and join the calls of international and local observers to conduct a full investigation into all reports of election-related abuses.”
Blinken encouraged “Georgia’s political leaders to respect rule of law, repeal laws that undermine fundamental freedoms, address deficiencies in the election process together.”
“While international and domestic observers agreed that Election Day had been generally well administered, reports of irregularities and sporadic violent incidents have been reported.” The U.S. chief diplomatic official said that international observers had not declared the results to be fair and free.
Georgian opposition groups refused the recognize the results and claimed that the election had been stolen. They cited election monitors who reported various violations in the country, such as ballot stuffing and intimidation of voters.
According to a report from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights’ (ODIHR) Election Observation Mission, “the election day… was marked by a tense atmosphere, with frequent compromises on vote secrecy and a number of procedural inconsistencies as well as reports on intimidation and pressure against voters… particularly public sector voters.”
The Georgian Dream Party, founded by the oligarch Bidzina Ilvanishvili has brought the country closer towards Moscow, hindering its EU ambitions. Tbilisi adopted the controversial law on foreign agents earlier this year, which led to the EU freezing Georgia’s process of accession even though it had been granted candidate status in December.
Tbilisi’s relations with Washington have also deteriorated in recent months, as the U.S. has begun to curtail partnership programs and imposed sanction against Georgian officials.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged “Georgia’s political leaders to respect rule of law, repeal laws that undermine fundamental freedoms, as well as address deficiencies in the election process together.”
The Russian forces have suffered 1,680 casualties in the last day alone.
State Emergency Service reported that at least 21 people, including five children, were injured in multiple air strikes launched by Russia on Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv Oblast overnight on October 28.
“Modi is the Prime Minister of a very large country in terms of population, economy and influence. A country of this size cannot simply say that it is interested in the end to the war. It is all of us who are interested. “PM Modi can influence an end to the Ukraine war,” said President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“Our interest is peace.” I think that Ukraine is not as important as other regions in the world. “I’m just putting my cards out there,” Republican senator and vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance said.
Operation UNIFIER of the Canadian Armed Forces announced on October 26 that Canada had provided Ukraine with a shipment of Light Armored Vehicles 6.0 ACSVs specially configured as ambulances.
Alexander Gusev, regional governor of Voronezh Oblast in Russia, said via his official Telegram Channel that debris from drones that had fallen to the ground struck two industrial sites on the evening October 27.
On October 27, Russian airstrikes in Ukraine’s southern Kherson Oblast killed at least five civilians and injured four others. The area is still divided by the frontline and is frequently subjected to Russian artillery, missiles, and drone strikes.
Dmytro Lubinets, the Ombudsman, said that “the alleged shooting of women by the occupiers at Selydove was a war crimes.” “I immediately wrote to international organizations, the UN and ICRC. I am waiting for the response.”
Grant Shapps, former U.K. defense secretary, argues that “now is the time to not only provide long-range authorization for our Storm Shadow rockets but to also do so without waiting for a Washington decision.”
“I think he is clearly an opponent.” J.D., the Republican candidate for vice president, said that he is a rival. Vance replied when asked if the Russian President Vladimir Putin was an enemy.
“These elections cannot recognized. This is the equivalent of recognizing Georgia’s submission to Russia. No one can take Georgia’s European Future away.”
HUR reported that Russian police officers stopped a Kamaz truck on the Kursk-Voronezh Highway on October 27. The truck had civilian license plates. The vehicle was reported to be loaded with North Korean soldiers.
“During our observations, we noted the instances of vote buying and dual voting before and during the elections, especially in the rural areas,” said Ioanbulai, the leader of the delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
In an interview with state media published on October 27, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the Russian Defense Ministry was considering “various options,” as a possible response if Ukraine launches a long-range strike against Russia, backed by the West.
Andriy Yeermak, the head of the Presidential Office, told Corriere della sera that Ukraine will finalize their formula by November.
Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesperson for the Southern Defense Forces, said on air that Ukrainian forces are still holding all the dominant heights in Zaporizhzhia oblast near Levadne and are trying to restore their positions.
Andriy Yeermak, Corriere della Sera, said that (President Volodymyr Zelensky) is very clear. He wants all soldiers and refugee abroad to be allowed to vote. “But for the moment, resources must be directed to the war.”
The regional prosecutor’s said that Russian soldiers in Selydove, a town in Donetsk Oblast, have opened fire on civilians at least twice, killing two women and injuring another, the office stated on October 27.
Andrii Sybiha will end his tour of the Middle East and Africa with a visit to Johannesburg and Pretoria. He is seeking to strengthen ties, and drum up support for Ukraine’s peace formula.
According to the central electoral commission, Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream Party captured 54.3% in the Oct. 26, parliamentary elections, with more than 99% of precincts being counted.
Former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia of the opposition Gakharia For Georgia Party said that the results announced “does not reflect the will” of the Georgian population and called for “reasonable protest” in order to “defend European future and the institution” of elections.
Bloomberg reported on October 25, citing unnamed sources, that Germany and France doubt the EU diplomatic service’s proposal to circumvent Hungary’s veto over 6 billion euros ($6.6billion) in defense aid for Kyiv.
A drone struck the Michurinsky District of the region around 0:40 am local time and caused a fire, which was quickly put out, Governor Maxim Egorov stated on his Telegram channel.
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