In the recent Parliamentary Elections in Georgia on October 26, 2024, held serious and widespread violations of the fundamental right to secret and fair voting have cast doubt on the legitimacy of the election process. 

We, the undersigned, urge the international community to take immediate action to investigate and denounce these irregularities. We call on you to withhold recognition of the results until these issues are addressed and to support the people of Georgia in upholding their democratic rights.

Key Violations Observed:

Transparency of the Ballot Paper: The actual ballots on election day were white and transparent enough for others to discern voter choices.

Tampering with Voting Privacy Measures: The voting envelope's frame lacked the privacy wings shown in the official testing video from the Central Election Commission (CEC), making it easier for votes to be seen.

Attempts to Violate Voter Privacy: Observers from government-organized non-governmental organizations (GONGOs) and commission members consistently attempted to observe ballots in ways that compromised voter anonymity.

Vote Manipulation During Vote Count: Observers reported that, during the closing of the polling stations, commission members attempted to manipulate the vote count by reducing votes for the opposition and reallocating them to the ruling party.

Inaccuracies on the CEC Website: After checking voting station details on the CEC website, some observers found discrepancies in the official vote count in favor of the ruling party. In several cases, the online data showed higher counts than the official closing documents.
  
     This included:

• Peering into the voting booth while voters were inside.
  Checking ballots outside the envelope.
• Guiding ballots into counting machines in ways that revealed which option was selected (notably, government choices were positioned at the bottom of the ballot, with opposition choices at the top, making it possible to deduce selections).
• Presence of Unauthorized Personnel: Throughout the day, unauthorized individuals loitered around and even at the entrances to polling stations, contributing to an atmosphere of intimidation and pressure on voters.

Inconsistent Use of Marking Liquid: To prevent multiple voting, marking liquid was applied haphazardly, often omitted or improperly applied on the left hand instead of the right.

Invasive Camera Surveillance: Representatives from the ruling Georgian Dream party stationed cameras in positions that captured voter faces upon entry, violating privacy and deterring free choice.

Intimidation by Officials: Polling station officials, instead of allowing voters to submit ballots independently, frequently “assisted” them, visibly observing their selections.

Misuse of Voter Lists: Party coordinators positioned themselves near entrances, marking individuals who voted or had not voted, creating additional pressure.

Errors in Verification and Unrecorded Complaints: Faulty verification machines allowed individuals to vote even after errors, and observers’ complaints of irregularities were often dismissed or ignored by officials.

Illegal Agitation and Bribery Near Polling Stations: Throughout election day, observers witnessed agitation materials and actions favoring the ruling party positioned within 25 meters of polling stations, a direct violation of Georgian election law.

Threats and Obstruction of Observers: Some election monitors and GONGO representatives resorted to intimidation, including verbal threats and attempts to confiscate documentation, targeting independent observers who recorded violations.

Pre-Election Bribery and Coercion: In the days leading up to the election, multiple reports surfaced of voters being offered incentives to support the ruling party. These incentives included cash payments and promises of medical treatment for voters or their family members. Such actions represent a direct attempt to influence voter choices through financial and personal health-related pressures, raising serious concerns about the fairness and independence of the election.

The Impact on Voters:
These actions created an atmosphere of tension and intimidation, manipulating the process and eroding voter confidence. Voters were pressured, either directly or indirectly, to favor the ruling party or refrain from voting for the opposition, threatening the integrity of the democratic process in Georgia.

Our Appeal to the International Community:
We urge the OSCE, EU, Council of Europe, United Nations, and leading international NGOs to:

1. Withhold recognition of the recent election results until an impartial investigation is conducted.
2. Deploy additional monitoring resources to assess and address the integrity of the electoral process in Georgia.
3. Support the people of Georgia in holding accountable those responsible for these violations and upholding democratic norms.

The future of democracy in Georgia depends on a transparent, fair, and independent electoral process. We ask for your support in any available way to ensure that the voice of the Georgian people is genuinely heard and respected.

This petition is signed by individuals who have either personally experienced or directly witnessed one or more of the above violations at polling stations during the recent election.

Please, also find the evidence of violations on the following link: https://tr.ee/_3wdqluGul

Sign this petition to stand for democracy and electoral integrity in Georgia.