Parliament committee reviews opposition bill on electoral reform for voters abroad
Along with a number of amendments, the bill involves increasing opportunities for voters abroad to participate in elections, local media said. Photo: Parliament of Georgia
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The rules and procedural issues committee of the parliament of Georgia on Monday reviewed a bill on the electoral reform proposed by the parliamentary opposition and aiming to make it easier to organise voting by citizens abroad.
Along with a number of amendments, the bill involves increasing opportunities for voters abroad to participate in elections, local media said.
The opposition bill stipulates that election precincts in other states can be established not only on the basis of registration in the consular register of Georgia, but also at the request of at least 200 voters abroad, based on their location.
The bill notes that from May 1 of the election year, the central election commission should place a special electronic application for registration on its website, through which Georgian citizens residing in other states will be able to register in special lists of voters and specify which country and city they want to request the opening of a polling station.
Speaker of the Georgian parliament Shalva Papuashvili on Monday said the introduction of an electronic voter registration and voting system starting with the 2024 parliamentary elections in the country would leave “no room for speculation”.
Thea Tsulukiani, the vice prime minister and Georgian minister of culture, on Wednesday said the government’s initiative to introduce e-voting starting with the next scheduled elections would put an end to the “false rhetoric” of alleged election malpractice from the opposition and “once again show the real face” of the latter.
Aleksandre Rakviashvili, an MP from the Girchi opposition party, on Tuesday welcomed the ruling Georgian Dream party’s announcement on introducing electronic voter registration and voting starting with the 2024 Parliamentary elections in the country, calling the move a “step forward” for ensuring a fairer electoral environment.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday said the ruling team had made a decision on a widespread introduction of an electronic voter registration and voting system starting with the 2024 Parliamentary elections in the country.