November 2024

CEEC Statement on the 2024 Georgian Parliamentary Elections.

The Central and Eastern European Coalition (CEEC) stands in solidarity with the people of Georgia in their rightful indignation over the conduct and outcome of the parliamentary elections held on October 26, 2024. The reported violations during this electoral process have undermined the core principles of free and fair elections, casting serious doubt on the legitimacy of the results.

International observers, including the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), have documented numerous irregularities, such as voter intimidation, ballot-stuffing, and breaches of the secrecy of the ballot in 75% of the polling stations. These actions contravene fundamental democratic standards, including universal and equal suffrage, access to unbiased information, and the impartiality and independence of electoral bodies.

In light of these egregious violations, the CEEC supports the Georgian people’s demands to
renounce the legitimacy of the election results and calls for an international investigation into
these breaches. We urge the United States government and our Western partners to withhold
recognition of the Georgian parliamentary elections until such an investigation is thoroughly
conducted. Elections marred by widespread fraud and coercion fail to reflect the true will of the
Georgian people and pose an imminent threat to the democratic process in the region.

The CEEC also reiterates its strong support for the two bills currently before the U.S. House of
Representatives and the Senate—H.R. 8566 (MEGOBARI Act) and S. 4425 (Georgian People’s Act) —which aim to reinforce democratic principles and accountability measures in Georgia. These legislative efforts underscore the U.S. commitment to promoting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in the region. They are also essential for ensuring that the voices of the Georgian people are genuinely heard and respected.

The CEEC, composed of eighteen national membership-based organizations representing 25
million Americans of East and Central European descent, is committed to supporting democratic
principles and the sovereignty of nations in Central and Eastern Europe.

Alianta • American Hungarian Federation • American Latvian Association • Armenian Assembly of America •
Belarusian-American Association • Washington Chapter Czechoslovak National Council of America • Estonian
American National Council • Georgian Association in the USA • Hungarian American Coalition • Joint Baltic
American National Committee • Lithuanian American Council • Lithuanian American Community • National
Federation of Croatian Americans Cultural Foundation • Polish American Congress • Slovak League of America •
Ukrainian Congress Committee of America • Ukrainian National Association
ceecadvocacy.org * [email protected]