Parliament has begun reviewing the new edition of the Election Code, with the Human Rights Committee set to consider the draft law and accompanying amendments on November 19.
The proposed legislation introduces several significant changes to electoral rules and procedures. One of the most notable amendments would bar Georgian citizens living abroad from voting in parliamentary elections, aligning the process with municipal elections, which are held exclusively within Georgia’s borders.
The draft also clarifies rules for photo and video recording at polling stations, explicitly stating that such recording does not include audio monitoring.
Candidate registration procedures would be simplified: instead of submitting both a registration card and a statement on party affiliation, candidates would only need to complete a consent form indicating their participation, residence permit details, and party status.
The grounds for nominating and registering candidates would also change. Parties would be allowed to nominate only their own members, while initiative groups could nominate only non-party candidates. Any violation of these rules would result in refusal or cancellation of registration.
Another amendment concerns the timeline for convening the first session of a newly elected Sakrebulo. Instead of the current 30-day period after the final results are announced, the draft shortens the deadline to 14 days from the start of the Sakrebulo’s term.
The initiative is authored by Georgian Dream MPs Archil Gorduladze, Tornike Cheishvili, Rati Ionatamishvili, Aluda Ghudushauri, Davit Matikashvili, Guram Macharashvili, Akaki Aladashvili, Tengiz Sharmanashvili and Aleksandre Tabatadze.
