The ECHR has accepted for consideration a complaint regarding violations during the parliamentary elections in Georgia.

The Strasbourg Court has begun examining a complaint regarding widespread violations of voting secrecy in the 2024 Georgian parliamentary elections.

As reported by the Caucasian Knot, in November 2024, a court in Tetritskaro invalidated the voting results from polling stations in the Tsalka and Tetritskaro districts of the parliamentary elections, but this decision was later overturned. Later, the Tbilisi City Court dismissed 11 lawsuits filed by the opposition and the Georgian Young Lawyers' Association, demanding that the election results not be recognized due to violations of voting secrecy.

The ECHR has begun consideration of a case regarding widespread violations of voting secrecy in the 2024 parliamentary elections in Georgia. The Georgian Young Lawyers' Association (GYLA), an independent observer organization, defended this issue in all courts across the country, JAMnews reported on January 23.

"The organization only won in Tetritskaro, but the victory was soon overturned on appeal at an 11:00 p.m. court hearing. Now the ECHR must decide whether the secrecy of the vote and the right to a fair trial were violated," the publication stated.

The consideration of the case by the ECHR could significantly impact the proceedings in Georgia, as it concerns the violation of the secrecy of voting conducted using electronic technology and the restriction of the right to an effective resolution of electoral disputes, the publication noted.

According to a report by the Georgian Young Lawyers' Association, the complaint filed states that the fundamental principle of secrecy of the ballot was massively violated by voters during the election period, and the provisions of Georgian legislation restricting citizens' ability to complain about election violations do not Comply with the requirements of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Georgian Young Lawyers' Association previously filed complaints with all district election commissions regarding violations of the secrecy of the vote caused by the improper use of electronic technologies. The complaints concerned the results at 2,263 polling stations where elections were conducted using these technologies. The courts and district commissions rejected them, with the exception of the Tetri Tskaro District Court.

Now, activists expect the ECHR to assess whether the right to free and secret voting was protected at polling stations where electronic technologies were used.

According to the Georgian Young Lawyers' Association, the ECHR accepted the case for consideration on the merits promptly, underscoring its priority. The court set May 15, 2026, as the deadline for the state to present its position, the publication says.

The Georgian Parliament has toughened penalties for participation in protests

As a reminder, on November 28, 2024, the European Parliament refused to recognize the results of the parliamentary elections in Georgia and called for sanctions against the leaders of the Georgian Dream party. On the same day, the Prime Minister announced that Georgia would withdraw from negotiations on EU accession by the end of 2028. Following this announcement, protests erupted across the country. Since November 28, 2024, protesters in Georgia have been demanding new parliamentary elections and the release of political prisoners. They have held daily protests on Rustaveli Avenue. In October 2025, following the tightening of laws on public gatherings and demonstrations, security forces began to arrest protesters en masse. Most of them were accused of blocking the avenue and obstructing traffic.

On January 23, the 422nd day of protests, supporters of Georgia's European integration, gathered outside the parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue, criticized the authorities for arresting activists for being on the sidewalk.