CEC Spokesperson rejects “lie” on refusal to create polling stations abroad ahead of 2024 elections

Natia Ioseliani, the Spokesperson of the Georgian Central Election Commission, on Friday rejected as a “lie” claims on the election administration refusing to create polling stations abroad ahead of the 2024 parliamentary elections and shifting the responsibility over the matter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“We would like to emphasise that it is a lie that the election administration refuses to create polling stations abroad and is shifting the responsibility to another agency - in this case the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - as claimed by some [domestic] politicians and media outlets in the last few days”, Ioseliani said. 

We will use all the levers at our disposal to ensure that voters abroad can participate in the elections in accordance with the procedures established by law”, she continued. 

The Spokesperson stressed “one of the main priorities” of the election administration was to “timely” inform voters to ensure their participation in the elections.

“We remind voters abroad that according to the Election Code, the CEC creates polling stations in other states no later than the 30th day before the election day based on the data of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for not less than 50 and not more than 3,000 voters”, she noted.

And in order to participate in the elections, it is important for them to register at precinct election commissions established in [their states of residence], at diplomatic representations of Georgia abroad or at consular institutions of Georgia no later than the 19th day before the election day”, the official added. 

She also noted extensions to the registration period for voters living abroad to participate in the elections. 

According to the amendments to the Election Code, the election registration period for such voters has been extended by two days. Although they are aware of the legal procedures, some politically interested persons are trying to mislead voters living abroad for their own purposes”, Ioseliani alleged. 

She also said the statements “harm the electoral process” and “contribute to the establishment of completely unfounded perceptions”, both regarding the procedures and deadlines for voting abroad.

The CEC Spokesperson also called on “all stakeholders” to take into account and follow election procedures, “avoid misleading voters for political purposes” or “damaging the election environment”.