Georgian FM: Ministry will ensure citizens abroad can vote in 2024 elections

Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Friday vowed the foreign office would “use all available options” to ensure citizens living abroad could vote “easily and without obstacles” in the parliamentary elections scheduled for October.

In a question-and-answer session with MPs in the Parliament, Darchiashvili said ensuring “democratic, free and international standards-compliant” elections was the “main priority and task” of the Government.

“[A]ctive, multifaceted work [for the purpose] is underway both at the legislative level and in terms of election administration, including with the involvement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs”, he told lawmakers.

He also said his Ministry was cooperating with the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe to invite international observers, and further pointed out the coordination with the Central Election Commission was underway to ensure “full realisation of the electoral right of compatriots living abroad”.

He added the purpose of putting nationals abroad on consular registration was to “protect their rights and legal interests abroad” and “effectively implement consular functions”.

Consular registration data is used to ensure effective consular protection of Georgian citizens during global, regional or local crisis situations and to respond to their needs. We have had examples of this many times, including during the global pandemic”, he told MPs.

Darchiashvili stressed the consular registration was voluntary, with citizens offered multiple options - including registration via the official website of the Ministry, through diplomatic missions and consular offices.

He also added the Central Election Commission and the Ministry were planning a public information campaign for citizens living abroad about their participation in the elections.