Economic Rules Hub
  • World
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Investing
Home World Georgia’s pro-Western president condemns ‘troubling incidents of violence’ at polling stations with crucial vote underway
World

Georgia’s pro-Western president condemns ‘troubling incidents of violence’ at polling stations with crucial vote underway

by admin October 27, 2024
October 27, 2024

Georgia’s President Salome Zourabichvili has condemned “deeply troubling incidents of violence unfolding at various polling stations” as the country votes in a crucial parliamentary election.

Voting opened early Saturday in the election, seen as a stark choice between Russia and the West. The ruling Georgian Dream party, which has in recent years taken a sharp authoritarian turn and stalled the country’s progress toward potential European Union membership, is bidding for re-election.

Activist and monitoring groups shared footage that they said showed ballot stuffing at a polling station in Marneuli, southern Georgia.

Another video showed a man, identified in local media as Azad Karimov – head of the opposition United National Movement (UNM) party’s regional organization – being assaulted by several men outside the polling station in Marneuli’s 69th precinct. Photos showed Karimov with a bloody nose and cuts to his face.

In an emergency briefing, the head of the CEC called on Marneuli’s election officials to investigate the incident and take appropriate action.

“This is troubling information, and the election administration, if confirmed, will not allow such isolated, controlled, or manipulative incidents to undermine the many months of efforts we have put forth into the election day,” Giorgi Kalandarishvili said.

Zourabichvili, a pro-Western figure whose powers are largely ceremonial, said she had been unable to reach the minister of internal affairs and that “the official government lines are not working.” Before the election, Zourabichvili urged Georgians to vote against Georgian Dream.

Responding to the reports from Marneuli, Georgian Dream politician Givi Mikanadze said “anyone who hinders the election process” will be punished, but appeared to blame the opposition for the incident.

“The opposition has no tangible factor other than to stage provocations, because they know that they will lose the elections,” he said, according to Imedia Media, a Georgian outlet.

After casting his ballot early Saturday, Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze told reporters that Georgian Dream will secure 60% of the vote and called on opposition parties to recognize these results. Government critics have questioned how Kobakhidze could know the results in advance.

The CEC reported voter turnout at 50.6% at 5 p.m. local time (9 a.m. ET), which Zourabichvili said was “very high.”

At 10 p.m. local time (2 p.m. ET), the CEC will announce preliminary results based on 90% of votes counted.

This post appeared first on cnn.com

0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
previous post
At least 126 dead and missing in massive flooding and landslides in Philippines
next post
Zodiac Gold Completes Drill Program at the Alasala Target and Hits Mineralized Zones including 4.05m at 13.92 g/t

Related Posts

UK, Canada and Western allies sanction two far-right Israeli government...

June 11, 2025

Europe heaps harsh sanctions on Russia, saying ‘strength is the...

June 11, 2025

Multiple explosions reported in Colombian city of Cali

June 11, 2025

France says Palestinian Authority makes ‘unprecedented commitments’ to reform ahead...

June 11, 2025

Argentina top court draws curtain on Cristina Kirchner’s political era

June 11, 2025

Syria orders women to cover up on beaches with conservative...

June 11, 2025

    Get free access to all of the retirement secrets and income strategies from our experts! or Join The Exclusive Subscription Today And Get the Premium Articles Acess for Free


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent

    • UK, Canada and Western allies sanction two far-right Israeli government ministers

      June 11, 2025
    • Europe heaps harsh sanctions on Russia, saying ‘strength is the only language’ Moscow understands

      June 11, 2025
    • France says Palestinian Authority makes ‘unprecedented commitments’ to reform ahead of conference on statehood

      June 11, 2025
    • Multiple explosions reported in Colombian city of Cali

      June 11, 2025
    • Friedrich Merz Fast Facts

      June 11, 2025

    Categories

    • Business (1,399)
    • Investing (3,427)
    • Politics (4,584)
    • World (4,499)
    • Email Whitelisting
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contacts
    • About us

    Disclaimer: EconomicRulesHub.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 EconomicRulesHub.com | All Rights Reserved

    Economic Rules Hub
    • World
    • Politics
    • Business
    • Investing