### Georgia Erupts in Protest Over Alleged Election Fraud

In Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, thousands of pro-European demonstrators have taken to the streets following accusations by President Salomé Zourabichvili that the recent parliamentary elections were rigged. The electoral victory of the ruling pro-Russian party, Georgian Dream, has sparked widespread allegations of vote tampering and fraud.

The election, held on October 26, saw Georgian Dream secure an unexpected 54% of the vote, significantly more than the projected 35%. In contrast, the pro-European opposition garnered just 37.3%, falling short of a parliamentary majority. Allegations of widespread violations during the voting process—such as vote-buying, intimidation, and vote-stuffing—were reported. President Zourabichvili has branded the election results a "total falsification."

Central to the controversy are concerns about the electronic voting machines. The Georgian Young Lawyers' Association had warned of vulnerabilities affecting ballot secrecy, a concern apparently realized with over 1,100 complaints lodged against the Central Election Commission (CEC). According to NGO WeVote.ge, significant irregularities were identified in 189 polling stations, affecting over 400,000 voters.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze dismissed the allegations, claiming irregularities were limited to "just a couple of precincts" out of more than 3,000, and that such issues are common in all countries. However, civil society organizations and independent observers have cited 370 pieces of footage and testimonies pointing to a systematic pattern of electoral fraud.

In a rallying call, President Zourabichvili urged citizens to demand a recount of every vote, including those cast by the diaspora. The opposition claims these votes were miscounted in favor of the ruling party. Protesters gathered in Liberty Square have drawn parallels to historical events, such as Georgia's 2003 Rose Revolution.

The controversy has drawn international attention, with numerous Western leaders expressing concern over the election's legitimacy. In contrast, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán visited Tbilisi to show support for Georgian Dream's victory, a move criticized by 13 EU ministers as "premature."

Analysts fear that the ongoing dispute could deepen Russia's influence over Georgia. Romain Le Quiniou of the think tank Euro Creative notes that Georgian Dream's alignment with Russian interests poses a unique threat, potentially reinforcing the Kremlin's hold over the region.

As the situation escalates, Georgia's future remains uncertain. President Zourabichvili's call for peaceful protest has been met with significant public support, underscoring the high stakes for the nation’s sovereignty and democratic integrity.