Georgia Responds to Zurabishvili's Remarks on 'Armenian Carousel'

The statement by Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili regarding the alleged use of an 'Armenian carousel' during the parliamentary elections held on October 26 is an attempt to undermine the election results and reflects a refusal to accept reality. This was stated in a press release from the Central Election Commission of Georgia.

Earlier, it was reported that Zurabishvili had claimed the use of the 'Armenian carousel' (a term used in Georgia to describe a mechanism where the same individuals vote multiple times at different polling stations) during the voting of the parliamentary elections, including through electronic means.

The CEC noted that the electoral technologies functioned without disruptions on October 26, as confirmed by international and local observer missions, as well as representatives of the media following the process.

The CEC reminds that the implementation of election technologies has taken place in over 30 countries worldwide, including the USA, Canada, Belgium, Estonia, Argentina, Australia, Albania, Bulgaria, and in collaboration with the company 'Smartmatic,' which has experience in conducting elections in Armenia.

“The attempt to discredit electronic technologies is nothing but a refusal to acknowledge reality and an effort to mislead the public based on political interests,” the Central Election Commission stated in its commentary.

It is noted that for several days, Zurabishvili has been sowing distrust among the public regarding new technologies with unfounded and false accusations in interviews and public speeches.

The parliamentary elections in Georgia took place on October 26. According to the CEC data, the ruling 'Georgian Dream' party garnered 53.93 percent of the votes. Four opposition parties also passed into parliament, collectively obtaining 37.78 percent. The opposition has already announced plans to reject the CEC's results.