Introduction

A district court in Georgia, Europe has annulled election results in 30 precincts due to violations of voting secrecy during the recent parliamentary elections held on October 26, 2024. The Tetri-Tskaro district court ruled that the voting method used in these precincts compromised voter anonymity.

The court’s decision affected polling stations in two southern municipalities:

18 precincts in Tsalka (electoral district #25)

13 precincts in Tetri-Tskaro (electoral district #26)

Reason for Annulment

The primary reason for canceling the results was the discovery that ballot markings were visible from the back of the voting papers, allowing others to potentially see voters’ choices. This visibility issue arose from the use of markers to mark ballots, which left traces visible on the reverse side, thus compromising the confidentiality of votes.

Reactions and Implications

The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Georgia has announced its intention to appeal the court’s decision, describing it as “unjustified”. The CEC argues that the secrecy of the vote was ensured by a special frame form used as envelopes for ballots, which, when used correctly, should have prevented the identification of voters’ choices.

This ruling comes amid widespread allegations of electoral fraud in Georgia’s recent parliamentary elections. Opposition parties and international observers have reported numerous violations, including:

Voter intimidation

Ballot stuffing

Vote buying

While the ruling affects only a small number of polling stations, it sets a precedent for better protection of voting secrecy rights, according to the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, which filed the complaint.

Broader Context

The election results have sparked significant controversy in Georgia:

The ruling Georgian Dream party has claimed victory, winning nearly 54% of the vote according to official results.

Four main opposition parties are refusing to join the new parliament, calling for electoral reforms and fairness.

Large-scale protests have erupted in Tbilisi, with opposition supporters contesting the election outcome.

Conclusion

The European Union and the United States have called for an investigation into the election fraud claims.

The situation has raised concerns about Georgia’s democratic processes and its relationship with the West, potentially affecting the country’s aspirations for European Union membership.