Voters living abroad, whose registration address in the State Services Development Agency's database is listed as either in an occupied territory or unclear, will still be able to participate in the elections. This decision was made unanimously by the Central Election Commission during today's session.
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"As per the resolution, voters in the aforementioned category who are on consular registration as of October 7 will be added to the special list of voters for the parliamentary elections on October 26, at polling stations established in other countries. Additionally, voters not on consular registration but who register by October 7 at the precinct election commission established abroad, at a Georgian diplomatic representation, or at a consular institution, will also be eligible. They must have a valid Georgian citizen identity card or passport," said Giorgi Kalandarishvili, Chairman of the CEC, during a briefing following the commission's session.
The resolution passed by the CEC, which expanded the group of citizens eligible to vote, was initiated by the opposition. According to MP Tamar Kordzaia, a leader of the Unity - National Movement coalition, the Central Election Commission was forced to support the decrees.
"It turned out they already knew there were 800 disenfranchised people registered, yet they did nothing until we pointed out a way to solve the problem. What's the issue with someone who isn’t on the unified list in Georgia but is abroad, being able to vote? They are Georgian citizens with Georgian passports. I want to congratulate everyone who fought for this success. The fight always matters," said Kordzaia.
Members of the opposition coalition also requested a three-day extension for the registration of citizens living abroad, pushing the deadline to October 10, but this proposal was not supported by the CEC.
"Their political will is clearly aimed at limiting voters. While they could extend the registration deadline to the 10th, it is important that the 800 registered voters will now be able to vote, along with anyone else who manages to register and exercise their constitutional rights. I urge everyone to be as active as possible and register at the consulates in the country where a polling station is open and where they are currently located.
With this decision, which we consider a success, the CEC cannot distance itself from the violations it has committed regarding immigrants. Thousands of people are still being deprived of their constitutional right because the CEC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs failed to ensure the opening of additional polling stations abroad," said Tamar Kordzaia.
For Georgia's parliamentary elections on October 26, the Central Election Commission will open only 60 polling stations abroad across 42 countries.
