Georgia’s Election Controversy: Georgian President Claims “Armenian Carousel” Method Used in Vote Rigging

In the aftermath of Georgia’s recent parliamentary election, accusations of voter manipulation, ballot fraud, and foreign interference have cast a shadow over the country's democratic process. President Salome Zourabichvili has openly condemned the ruling Georgian Dream party, alleging that it employed deceptive tactics influenced by Russian methods, with possible assistance from Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB). This has ignited a fierce debate about the credibility of the October 26 election results and the nation's broader political direction.
In an interview with the Associated Press, President Zourabichvili introduced the term “Armenian carousel,” referring to a voting method that, according to her, allowed one person to cast multiple votes. Zourabichvili explained that the term describes a coordinated effort where identity cards are taken from vulnerable citizens, such as socially disadvantaged groups or families of prisoners, under misleading pretenses. The alleged manipulation enabled individuals to vote multiple times, a strategy supported by electronic devices and falsified identification documents.
Zourabichvili suggested that these tactics were implemented in technologically sophisticated ways, which she claims represent a new and alarming level of electoral manipulation. “With the help of one certificate and various electronic devices, it became possible to do it about 17 times,” she said, describing a complex scheme where numerous identification certificates or numbers were allegedly used.
Facing these serious allegations, Georgia's Central Election Commission (CEC) has announced it will recount ballots at approximately 14% of polling stations. According to the CEC’s statement, five polling stations from each district will be randomly selected for recounts. This announcement followed mounting pressure from opposition parties, who declared the results illegitimate and accused the ruling party of ballot rigging. Preliminary results indicated that the Georgian Dream party won 53.9% of the vote, significantly outpacing an opposition coalition, which garnered 37.7%.
As news of alleged electoral fraud spread, tens of thousands of protesters rallied in Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital, demanding new elections. Opposition leaders have refused to accept the legitimacy of the election results, with some declaring they would not take seats in a parliament formed through what they term a “rigged” process. They have called for a fresh election overseen by an “international election administration,” which they argue would ensure a fair and transparent process.
President Zourabichvili has echoed these concerns, describing the election as the result of a “Russian special operation.” The Kremlin, however, swiftly dismissed her claims, denying any involvement in Georgia’s electoral process. Despite this denial, many Georgians and international observers have expressed worries over Georgia’s perceived shift toward Russian influence, which they believe threatens the country's independence and democratic values.
The allegations of election tampering have drawn responses from the international community. Both the United States and the European Union have criticized the alleged “irregularities” in the Georgian election, with the EU expressing concern about Georgia's commitment to democratic standards. Notably, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, known as a close EU ally of Russia, arrived in Tbilisi for a two-day visit just after the election. This visit further fueled suspicions of Russian influence, especially among Georgia’s pro-Western citizens and politicians.
A group of Georgian election monitors has also joined the criticism, claiming to have found evidence of widespread fraud. Levan Kvirkvelia, a data analyst, published findings on X (formerly Twitter), suggesting that the ruling party had engaged in “ballot stuffing” and “miscounting,” particularly in rural areas. These alleged irregularities, according to Kvirkvelia, represent systematic attempts by the ruling party to distort the election outcome in its favor.
Georgia has faced numerous political challenges in recent years, particularly concerning its alignment between Western alliances and Russia. Earlier in 2024, large-scale protests erupted in Tbilisi over a law on “foreign influence,” which critics said mirrored a Russian law used to stifle dissent. These demonstrations prompted the United States to impose sanctions on some Georgian officials, while the European Union paused the nation’s EU membership bid.
Many Georgians view the recent election as emblematic of a larger struggle over Georgia’s future, with the opposition accusing the Georgian Dream party of steering the country away from its long-standing ambition of joining the EU. The current situation has left many Georgians questioning whether their nation’s democratic institutions can withstand external pressures and maintain their sovereignty and independence.
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