Georgia technically ready for electronic voting

Avoiding long lines at polling stations could become a reality for Georgians in future elections as the country is technically ready to launch an online voting system.

Today Georgia’s Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani said Georgia was "technically ready to hold electronic elections” but added it would still take time to actually launch this type of voting system.

"We will need other steps to be taken too to make this real. And these ‘other steps’ include legislation changes, promoting electronic ID cards and ensuring countrywide internet access,” the Minister said, noting even the most remote villages would need to be provided with proper internet connection for electronic voting to be effective.

Tsulukiani stressed one of the most important aspects of an e-voting system was that it would enable Georgian citizens living abroad to participate in elections.

Estonia has partnered and supported Georgia to develop electronic governance. Tsulukiani said the Estonian experts had measured Georgia’s IT capabilities and concluded the country was technically ready to host its first electronic elections.