The Georgian Dream parliament approved a new edition of the Election Code by a vote of 79 to 11. The most significant change introduced to the code concerns the removal of emigrants' right to vote abroad.
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As with municipal elections, Georgian parliamentary elections will now be held solely within the country’s borders. Consequently, voters abroad will only be able to participate based on their registered residence in Georgia.
Davit Matikashvili, one of the authors of the legislative amendments, stated that when making a decision, it is necessary to analyse the current political situation in the country and consider the present reality, which citizens living abroad lack.
“Our citizens living in different jurisdictions, whether willingly or unwillingly, are to some extent subject to the conditions prevailing in the country they are in. Therefore, it is often impossible for them to make independent decisions there without external pressure,” Matikashvili said.
The Code has introduced several other changes. This includes an amendment to the rules on eviction from Precinct Election Commission premises on Election Day. An evicted person is prohibited from entering or being in any polling station or polling building on Election Day, except to vote at the polling station.
Furthermore, the candidate registration process is being revised: parties can nominate only their own members, while initiative groups may choose a non-party candidate. If these requirements are not fulfilled, candidates may not be registered, or their registration could be revoked.
Under the new Electoral Code, individuals with criminal records are barred from membership of the election commission, even if their prior conviction resulted only in a fine.
