UNM leader Tsitlidze calls 4 October municipal vote ‘fake,’ urges Rustaveli protest

 Anna Tsitlidze, a leader of Georgia’s United National Movement (UNM), has urged citizens to boycott the 4 October local elections, calling them a “Russian special operation.”

Speaking on Monday, Tsitlidze accused the vote of being manipulated to protect the interests of ruling Georgian Dream party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili. She claimed that state institutions, including the Central Election Commission, were “effectively controlled” by the ruling party and were unable to guarantee a fair election.

“There are no real elections in this country as long as Ivanishvili holds power. The only meaningful change is a peaceful protest planned for 4 October. Everyone should go to Rustaveli, not the so-called polling stations,” she said.

Tsitlidze described last year’s general elections as “marred by intimidation, pressure, and manipulation” and argued that participation in the official vote would only support a system she considered illegitimate. She called on Georgians to reject the ballot and take part in public demonstrations instead.