Georgian Sensation: Election Results At Dozens Of Polling Stations Cancelled By Court Verdict

Why is this happening?

The court of the city of Tetri-Tskaro in southern Georgia cancelled the results of parliamentary elections in 30 polling stations where electronic voting took place. The reason was a violation of the secrecy of voting, the corresponding claim was filed by the Association of Young Lawyers.

On the ballots randomly selected by the court, the marks placed on them were crossed from several sites on the reverse side. This is reported by Jam News and the Georgian service of Radio Liberty.

The consideration of the claim of the Young Lawyers Association (Saya) on violation of the principle of secrecy of voting took place on November 4. At the request of the organization, the judge randomly selected ballots in several districts in the Tsalka and Tetritskaro districts – and it was found in the courtroom that the mark on the ballots was visible from the welded side. The court interpreted this as a violation of the secrecy of voting.

Judge Vladimir Khuchua canceled the results of the electronic sections of Tetritskaro and Tsalka. According to him, the secrecy of voting was violated in the elections held electronically. According to former public defender Nino Lomzhariya, we are talking about 30 districts.

"The court unequivocally believes, having examined the evidence, that with this election machine, with this ballot paper, with this ballot envelope, the voter did not have a guarantee of protecting the vote and the secrecy of the vote," stated Judge Vladimir Khuchua.

In addition, the court found "serious violations" in the work of the district election commission of the city of Tsalka. In particular, it was about improper consideration of the complaint, manipulation and obstruction of the work of observers.

Saya demanded to cancel the election results in all 73 polling stations where electronic voting took place, the organization is convinced that there was a massive violation of the principle of secrecy of voting.

The decision of the Tetri-Tskaro court in the organization is considered to be precedent-setting, although the Central Election Commission can appeal it in the appellate instance.

“We think this decision is likely to be changed on appeal. But this does not change the fact that this judge showed the public that the secrecy of voting was violated, the constitutional principle of holding elections was violated, and he made a precedent decision," said Saya head Nonna Kurdovanidze.

At the same time, the city and district courts of Tbilisi did not satisfy any of the similar complaints filed by the organization "Fair Elections" ISFED, and the Court of Appeal of the capital of Georgia refused to satisfy the appeal of the "Association of Young Lawyers" on the right to secrecy of voting.

From November 5, meetings to consider Saya's appeals against the decisions of other courts in Kutaisi and Tbilisi will begin. These decisions, according to Kurdovanidze, are also appealed to the CEC.

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