Lawmakers from Georgia's ruling party opened the first session of parliament on Monday after last month's disputed election, defying protesters outside and a boycott by opposition parties who say the vote was illegitimate.

Georgia’s ruling party convened parliament for its first session since last month’s election even as opposition lawmakers enforced a boycott and protesters continued street demonstrations over the results.

Thousands of protesters, watched by riot police, rallied outside and accused the ruling party of rigging the October election under Russian influence.

The inaugural session of the Georgian parliament took place in Tbilisi on Monday. The opposition, which does not recognize the results of the October elections, boycotted the proceedings. Protests are ongoing outside the building,