Georgia Election Chief Attacked With Black Paint Amid Rigging Allegations | Watch Video

Tbilisi: Giorgi Kalandarishvili, he of Georgia's Central Election Commission (CEC), was attacked with black paint by opposition politician Davit Kirtze during a meeting on Saturday, just as Kalandarishvili was about to validate results of last month's parliamentary elections.

elections have sparked weeks of protests from opposition, who have accused government of widespre fraud and Russian interference.

Protesters gared outside Central Election Commission building in Tbilisi, where officials declared that ruling Georgian Dream party h secured 53.93 percent of vote.

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Opposition supporters have labeled vote as "rigged" and rejected election results. However, ruling Georgian Dream party has denied se accusations.

Saturday session was interrupted when Davit Kirtze, a member of opposition United National Movement party, threw black paint at Kalandarishvili.

Before incident, opposition member told CEC that official election results did not accurately represent voters' "true choice."

In response, Kalandarishvili remarked that use of “pressure, bullying and personal insults” demonstrated that re was no evidence of vote rigging./

When meeting resumed, Kalandarishvili was seen with a bandaged eye.

“It once again becomes evident that re is no tangible proof indicating that elections were manipulated,” he said while dressing audience.

European election observers have characterized Georgian parliamentary elections as occurring in a "divisive" environment, citing incidents of bribery, double voting, and physical violence.

Many Georgians saw election as a crucial referendum on country's aspirations to join European Union. However, in June, EU suspended Georgia’s membership application indefinitely after Georgian parliament passed a "foreign influence law," which critics argue resembles Moscow’s tactics to suppress civil society.

Critics have accused ruling Georgian Dream party, founded by Bidzina Ivanishvili, a wealthy businessman with ties to Russia, of growing more authoritarian and pro-Moscow. party has recently introduced laws similar to those in Russia, aimed at restricting freedom of speech and limiting LGBTQ+ rights.

President Salome Zourabichvili, who has disputed official election results, claims that Georgia has succumbed to pressure from Moscow in its efforts to join European Union. Although Zourabichvili holds a largely ceremonial role, she has called on United States and EU to back ongoing protests.

Both Washington and Brussels have called for a thorough investigation into election, while Kremlin has denied any involvement in interference.

(with agency inputs)