The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania stated that the October 26 parliamentary election in Georgia was marked by unprecedented incidents, and systemic violations both during the campaign and the day of voting.
The agency states that the violations include allegations of bribery of voters, physical violence at voting stations, including threats and attacks against independent observers, as well as actions to restrict media activities.
“However, most disturbing evidence of election interference is the mass attacks against political opponents of the ruling parties as well as civil societies organizations, including the promises to prosecute or ban them after the election, the systematic use disinformation during the election campaign and the use administrative resources and state institutions throughout the entire election process.” In the statement, it is stated that “”.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania stresses that the serious questioning of the legitimacy of the elections and the final results is a result of the large scale and systemic nature of violations, as also the sharp discrepancy in the independent exit polls compared to the announced results.
“These violations were reported by a number international and local independent observer. The seriousness of the violations and their systemic nature, as well as the stark discrepancy in the results announced and the independent exit polls, call into question the legitimacy of the elections and the final result. The President of Georgia refused the accept the results. In this context, Lithuania has difficulty in recognizing these elections as fair and free elections,” said the statement.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania stresses that the democratic rights of Georgians must be protected, and any attempt to violate them is unacceptable. The agency calls for a thorough independent international investigation of the elections, including all violations that were observed.
The statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania also emphasizes that the process of Georgia joining the European Union was already suspended due to the adoption of highly contentious legislation by the Parliament of Georgia.
“Irregularities during the Georgian parliamentary elections make this path more difficult. The ruling party in Georgia and its leaders are solely responsible for the results. We believe the political contacts between the European Union and Georgia will remain suspended, and the financial aid of the Georgian Government will be frozen. “We should also consider taking additional deterrent actions against those who are responsible for the rigging of the elections without delay,” said the statement.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses that Lithuania will continue its unwavering support of the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Georgia, as well as the Georgian people’s European choice.
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