Opposition Alliance Names Six ‘Demands’ for Free and Fair Elections
The Opposition Alliance of nine parties named six “demands” it said are necessary to be fulfilled for future elections in Georgia to be free and fair.
Speaking at the May 15 briefing, Tengo Tevzadze of the Ahali party said the “main goal” of the Opposition Alliance is to replace the ruling Georgian Dream government, stressing that “fair and equal elections” are the “key instrument” to achieve this goal. He noted, however, that “before speaking about free and fair elections,” it is necessary to “release political prisoners,” “end politically motivated criminal cases,” and “abolish repressive laws” that, he said have affected democratic institutions, including critical media, political parties, and civil society groups.
The Alliance representatives then outlined six demands:
First, “The election administration must be changed and become fully based on a parity principle. Based on the parties that passed the threshold in the 2020 and 2024 elections, it should be composed with one representative each. All subsequent commissions should be formed by the new commission using this principle.” The alliance said they do not consider the 2024 parliamentary elections legitimate, but are using “the threshold-passing principle” as the basis for the calculation.
Second, “Emigrants should be restored the right to vote” and polling stations abroad should be opened “adequately” in line with the number of emigrants. The demand comes in the context of Georgian Dream’s move last December to end voting for Georgians abroad, as well as concerns related to the 2024 parliamentary elections, in which critics said many Georgian emigrants living far from capitals or major cities were unable to cast their ballots due to the absence of nearby polling stations.
Third, “Alongside a trusted [election] commission, reliable technologies are also important. For this, we consider it necessary to make the voter verification process stricter, therefore facial recognition devices should be set up.”
Fourth, “It is also important to invite a reputable international auditing company to conduct audits and inspections of the electoral process, including both the equipment and election-day procedures.”
Fifth, “The [voters’] lists should be opened and it should become possible to make voter participation public.”
Sixth, “Electoral disputes should be reviewed by specially created court panels, formed on the basis of a common agreement.”
“It is precisely upon the fulfillment of these six principles and demands that we, the Opposition Alliance, can consider that elections held even to a minimum standard to carry legitimacy that will not be called into question.”
The setting of the “demands” by the Opposition Alliance comes amid speculation that Georgian Dream may call snap elections. The ruling party, however, maintains that parliamentary elections will be held as scheduled in 2028.
Shortly after the briefing, a journalist from pro-government TV Imedi asked Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze how “relevant” he considered the Alliance’s demands. Kobakhidze responded that parliamentary elections will be held in 2028 “under the legislation currently in force.”
“We give everyone this assurance. The current legislation is fully in compliance with international standards and, accordingly, we will conduct the elections under this legislation,” Kobakhidze said.
The opposition alliance was formed on March 2, when nine parties signed a coordination document pledging to work together to “save national independence and statehood,” amid a protracted political crisis marked by the ruling Georgian Dream party’s crackdown on dissent and ongoing anti-government protests. While some critics speculate that Georgian Dream may be preparing for snap elections, the opposition’s plans to participate remain uncertain.
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