A Bill on Local Self-Government has passed in Parliament.
The Bill passed on its third and final hearing with a 77-7 vote on January 5, 2014.
The Bill, which had been revised several times, outlined direct elections of Mayors in towns starting from this year’s local elections planned to take place this spring.
The Bill stated:
- The direct election of Mayors in 12 towns. Only in Tbilisi the Mayor will be elected directly by voters.The direct election of 60 heads of the municipalities (Gamgebeli).
- Lowering the threshold from 5% to 4% for the party-list. A party gaining at least 4% in elections will be able to endorse its members in respective municipality’s Sakrebulo.
- A minimal threshold of 40% for electing Mayors of Self-Governed cities in the first round of voting.
- A minimal threshold of 33% for elected heads of municipalities.
- Voters’ lists will become biometric and photos of voters will be added.
- Political parties have to spend 15% of the fund received from the state budget
- Access to polling stations will be accessible to people with disabilities.
- The initiative group will not be allowed to register as mayor or heads of the municipalities.
Changes to the electoral system has become the main topic discussed among the Government and opposition parties.
Government officials believe this initiative will ensure a higher level of legitimacy within elections.
However, the opposition has called for a 50% threshold for electing Mayors. This means a candidate will require garnering half of the votes plus one in order to be declared an outright winner of the race without needing a runoff.