“It is important to create an alternative process that includes a public plebiscite or mechanisms for expressing public opinion, including electronic voting,” said Levan Bezhashvili, a member of the opposition United National Movement party, following an opposition meeting organised by a civil activist, Paata Burchuladze.

According to Bezhashvili, the UNM already has experience in organising electronic elections using blockchain technology, involving around 60,000 participants.

“At today’s meeting, it was emphasised that political parties and NGOs must work to shape public opinion around the idea that by participating in the upcoming self-government elections, we risk legitimising the regime. That is why creating an alternative process is crucial. This process should include tools such as electronic voting and a public plebiscite. While some question the feasibility of such platforms, I’d like to note that the National Movement already has experience conducting large-scale electronic elections.

In modern-day Georgia, we have the technological means, and our experience proves it’s possible. The key issue now is for political parties to decide: will they take part in a process that only serves to legitimise Ivanishvili’s regime, or will they stand with the Georgian people and continue the protest movement?

We know that neither Kalandarishvili’s CEC nor the current system is trustworthy. Participating in elections under these conditions means entering a game that is rigged from the start – a move that only benefits the regime. Therefore, parties still considering participation must think carefully about what they are engaging in. Today’s meeting also focused on how to establish this alternative process where public opinion genuinely matters.

Electronic elections can serve as a valuable tool for plebiscites and other forms of civic expression. The main goal is clear: we must not help legitimise the regime by taking part in a flawed electoral process,” said Bezhashvili.