Tbilisi [Georgia], November 17: The electoral commission of the Black Sea republic of Georgia has confirmed the controversial victory of the ruling Georgian Dream party in last month's parliamentary polls.
According to local media, despite the allegations of election fraud, the final results still award the ruling party of billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili around 54% of the votes cast on October 26, and thus 89 out of 150 seats in parliament. This leaves the pro-Western opposition a total of 61 seats. However, the parties announced that they would not be taking up their seats.
During a confrontational session of the election commission, opposition representative Davit Kirtadze splashed black paint on the CEC chief, Giorgi Kalandarishvili. He shouted that the commission head has been moving Georgia towards Russia instead of the European Union. The Ministry of Internal Affairs said it has initiated a criminal investigation against Kirtadze.
According to the Georgian constitution, parliament must convene for the first time within 10 days of the announcement of the official final result.
After the election, Georgia's pro-European president and the pro-Western opposition declared that they did not recognise the result. Georgian and international observers identified numerous violations.
Since then, the opposition and its supporters have protested almost daily, especially in the capital Tbilisi.
Source: Qatar Tribune