**Georgia’s Elections Found to be “Fundamentally Flawed”**
A report by the International Republican Institute (IRI) has found that Georgia’s parliamentary elections were unfair and flawed. The IRI’s International Election Observation Mission (IEOM) said that only new elections can restore trust in the government.
**Unequal Conditions and State Resources Misused**
The IRI found that there was an uneven playing field during the election. The ruling party, Georgian Dream, had a significant funding advantage and used state resources to promote its candidates. This included dominating media outlets and using public servants to attend rallies.
**Suppression of Civil Society and Opposition**
The IRI also reported widespread suppression of civil society and opposition parties. Voters were intimidated in some areas, especially in rural and ethnic-minority regions. Institutional safeguards to protect freedom of speech and assembly were inadequate.
**State Capture of Electoral and Judicial Institutions**
The report revealed that state institutions, including the Central Election Commission (CEC), were captured by the ruling party. This led to a lack of trust in these institutions among the public.
**Recommendations for Reform**
The IRI made 31 recommendations for reform, including changes to the electoral framework, competition, and administration. They also called for reforms to institutional integrity and oversight, as well as improvements to technology and open data.
**Opposition Leaders React**
Opposition leaders in Georgia are calling on international organizations, such as the OSCE/ODIHR, to investigate the election results. The President of Georgia has announced a new political council to coordinate opposition efforts.
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