**Georgian PM Accuses Election Watchdog of Bias**
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has accused the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) of working on behalf of forces that don’t have good intentions towards Georgia.
This comes after the Prosecutor‘s Office impounded ISFED’s documentation of the disputed October 26 parliamentary elections, which were marked by allegations of election fraud. ISFED has confirmed that it cooperates with the authorities as part of an investigation into these claims.
**ISFED Denies Bias**
Kobakhidze’s accusations are not new, and ISFED has long denied them. The organization has stated that its Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) results matched those of the Central Election Commission due to observed falsification during the voting process.
**Opposition Criticizes PM**
The opposition party For Georgia has criticized Kobakhidze for lying about election fraud, saying there is evidence of irregularities including vote-buying and restricted access for observers. ISFED, along with other NGOs, has also issued a joint assessment stating that the elections cannot be considered free and fair.
**History of Dispute**
The dispute between Georgian Dream and ISFED dates back to the 2020 parliamentary elections, when ISFED’s PVT results were initially criticized for inaccuracies. The organization later revised its results, but continued to express concerns over imbalances in some summary protocols.
**Implications**
The investigation into election fraud may soon be terminated, with the Prosecutor’s Office expected to announce a decision soon. However, the opposition and NGOs have already stated that they do not recognize the legitimacy of the October 26 elections.