Georgian opposition alleges electoral fraud

Supporters of defeated presidential candidate gather in Tbilisi to protest alleged irregularities

Electoral commission maintains vote was fair, international observers express concern

TBILISI, Georgia - Supporters of defeated Georgian presidential candidate Grigol Vashadze gathered in Tbilisi on Monday to protest alleged electoral fraud, a day after the country's Central Election Commission (CEC) declared incumbent President Salome Zurabishvili the winner of the runoff election.

Vashadze, who lost by a margin of just over 100,000 votes, has claimed that the election was rigged, and his supporters have called for a recount. The CEC has maintained that the vote was fair, but international observers have expressed concern about the conduct of the election.

The allegations of electoral fraud have raised tensions in Georgia, a country with a history of political instability. In 2008, the country was embroiled in a brief war with Russia, and there have been concerns that the current unrest could lead to further violence.

The United States and the European Union have both called on the Georgian government to investigate the allegations of electoral fraud, and to ensure that the results of the election are respected.

Allegations of electoral fraud

Vashadze has made a number of specific allegations of electoral fraud, including:

• Vote-buying
• Intimidation of voters
• Manipulation of the voter rolls

The CEC has denied these allegations, but Vashadze and his supporters have provided evidence to support their claims.

International observers' concerns

International observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) have expressed concern about the conduct of the election, particularly the way in which the CEC handled complaints of electoral irregularities.

The OSCE has called on the Georgian government to investigate the allegations of electoral fraud, and to ensure that the results of the election are respected.

Government response

The Georgian government has said that it will investigate the allegations of electoral fraud, but it has also defended the conduct of the election.

Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has said that the election was "fair and transparent," and that the allegations of electoral fraud are "unfounded."

Risks of violence

The allegations of electoral fraud have raised concerns about the potential for violence in Georgia.

In 2008, Georgia was embroiled in a brief war with Russia, and there are concerns that the current unrest could lead to further violence.

The United States and the European Union have both called on the Georgian government to investigate the allegations of electoral fraud, and to ensure that the results of the election are respected.