There were a number of procedural issues and isolated incidents during the Georgian parliamentary elections on October 26, according to reports from both the Public Defender’s Office and the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA). 

Observers noted certain challenges, including minor confrontations and procedural issues at polling stations, leading to some disruptions and raising questions about the smooth conduct of the election process.

The Public Defender’s Office reported physical confrontations at seven polling stations, with clashes involving attacks on party representatives and conflicts between groups. These incidents reportedly disrupted operations and heightened tensions at various polling locations. Observers faced aggressive actions, including physical injuries and verbal abuse, with one incident involving the forcible removal of an observer’s phone. In other cases, monitoring staff reported harassment by commission members or unidentified individuals, affecting their oversight role.

GYLA reported additional procedural issues, noting that the election day began with significant irregularities. Delays in the opening of polling stations were observed, alongside cases of polling staff failing to perform their duties or exchanging roles without authorisation. Irregularities during the voting process included equipment malfunctions and violations of ballot secrecy, as well as reports that registrars at certain precincts mishandled ID verification devices, causing delays and requiring manual data entry.

Further incidents documented by GYLA highlighted interference with voter choice. For example, in Rustavi’s Precinct 27, a registrar allegedly instructed a voter to mark their ballot in a specific way. In Marneuli’s Precinct 35, an individual, allegedly a Georgian Dream, representative, was observed voting twice. 

Multiple precincts, including those in Gldani, Isani, Tsalenjikha, Kutaisi and Poti, reported cases where voters received two ballots. At Didube’s Precinct 27, a person with authorised access was seen recording personal information of voters behind the registrars.

Journalists covering the elections reported at least three assaults, with two sustaining injuries and damage to equipment. Another media team encountered an attempt to seize their equipment. The Public Defender condemned these acts, stressing that violence and interference with the work of journalists and observers constitute criminal behaviour. Many incidents reportedly stemmed from procedural issues and the mobilisation of various groups near polling stations, which contributed to a tense environment and posed challenges to the election’s integrity.