(Test post) Georgia live updates | Recriminations continue following ‘rigged’ election

The Central Election Commission (CEC) has accused President Salome Zourabichvili of ‘discrediting electronic technologies’.

‘At the international level, the president is trying to discredit the election administration, which organised the most important elections at the highest level’, the statement read.

‘The observation missions of OSCE/ODIHR and other international organisations confirmed in their statements and evaluations that the elections were administered in a qualified and professional manner. However, the president tries to present the situation differently’.

29 Oct 2024, 17:31

MFRR records ‘at least 16 attacks on journalists’ during Georgian elections

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) organisation, a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and reacts to violations of press and media freedom in Europe, has recorded ‘at least 16 attacks’ on journalists on election day in Georgia.

29 Oct 2024, 17:15

Borrell calls for the EU’s Political and Security Committee to convene over Georgia’s ‘difficult situation’

EU High Representative Josep Borrell has asked the EU’s Political and Security Committee to convene today for ‘an urgent discussion on the difficult situation in Georgia’. He added that this topic would also be on the agenda of the November Foreign Affairs Council.

Borrell called the developments in Georgia following Saturday’s elections ‘very worrying’, noting that international observers reported violations during both the election campaign and on election day and have also not declared the elections to be free and fair.

‘Georgia is an EU candidate country and as such it has to demonstrate its commitment to European values, starting with full transparency in the election process’, Borrell said.

‘I am asking for a transparent inquiry. The Central Election Commission of Georgia and relevant authorities must investigate irregularities, pressure and intimidation on voters impacting public trust in the process, reported by observers. Those irregularities must be addressed swiftly, transparently and independently’, he added.

29 Oct 2024, 17:10

Dafioni calls on citizens to join public march tonight at 19:00

Dafioni, an activist group which gained prominence for organising most of the demonstrations during the foreign agent law protests in Tbilisi, has called for people to join their march to Parliament.

‘We must stand up and fight for our country, victory comes only with this kind of self-sacrificing fight! Today, at [19:00], we will gather at the [Tbilisi State University] I Building and march towards the Parliament’.