Crushing Victory of Georgia's Dream in Akhalkalaki

The ruling "Georgian Dream" party has suffered defeats in Tbilisi and other major cities during the elections, while it has gathered nearly 90% of the votes in Ninotsminda and Akhalkalaki, which are predominantly populated by Armenians, reports NewsGeorgia.

According to preliminary results from the CEC website, data has been calculated from 2,255 of 3,111 polling stations: "Georgian Dream" received 53.056% (957,960 votes), the "Coalition for Changes - Gvaramia, Melia, Girchi, Droa" received 11.177% (201,807 votes), and the "Unity" (National Movement, Agmashenebeli's Strategy, European Georgia) received 9.852% (177,892 votes). The "Strong Georgia" (Lelo, For People, Freedom Square, Citizens) garnered 8.998% (162,459 votes), while "Gakharia - For Georgia" received 8.228% (148,570 votes).

In Tbilisi districts, the ruling party's results are as follows: Mtatsminda – 41.512% (14,696 votes), Vake – 38.003% (28,983 votes), Saburtalo – 39.758% (38,110 votes), Krtsanisi – 48.831% (11,002 votes), Isani – 45.298% (28,767 votes), Samgori – 44.924% (37,004 votes), Chughureti – 44.105% (17,936 votes), Didube – 42.076% (17,234 votes), Nadzaladevi – 42.571% (33,952 votes), Gldani – 40.46% (34,547 votes).

Regarding the regions, "Georgian Dream" failed to win in all major cities. These include five of the 74 districts outside Tbilisi: Rustavi – 40.99% (24,815 votes), Zugdidi – 48.052% (6,956 votes), Poti – 49.659% (45,583 votes), Batumi – 49.659% (45,583 votes), and Kutaisi – 47.328% (35,837 votes).

The ruling party achieved its best results in Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kvemo Kartli, regions where ethnic minorities, including Armenians and Azerbaijanis, reside. Most reports of violations during these elections came from these areas. In the Marneuli district, results from one polling station had to be canceled due to mass stuffing of ballots.

However, another trend is also observed. Historically, these regions predominantly vote for the ruling party: Gardabani – 70.831% (8,919 votes), Marneuli – 79.545% (19,424 votes), Bolnisi – 80.711% (18,390 votes), Dmanisi – 76.434% (6,824 votes), Tsalka – 69.335% (3,387 votes), Adigeni – 71.309% (3,328 votes), Akhalkalaki – 88.933% (11,749 votes), and Ninotsminda – 89.771% (7,802 votes).

Parliamentary elections took place in Georgia on October 26. Polling stations opened at 08:00 and closed at 20:00. A total of 3.5 million citizens had the right to vote. Preliminary data indicates that the turnout was nearly 59 percent.

Eighteen parties participated in the elections. For the first time, 150 parliament members are elected entirely by a proportional electoral system, rather than a mixed one as before. To enter the legislature, parties must surpass a five percent threshold.