Gov’t’s main principle is to ensure “legally sound” electoral law, aligned with int'l practice - PM
Following the adoption of the draft law of the Election Code on Friday by the Parliament, in the second reading, Kobakhidze noted the amendments ensured the creation of “a legally correct” law. Photo via Parliament of Georgia
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Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday said the “main principle” for his Government was to ensure “legally sound” electoral legislation in alignment with international practice.
Following the adoption of the draft law of the Election Code on Friday by the Parliament, in the second reading, Kobakhidze noted the amendments ensured the creation of “a legally correct” law.
The draft law envisages three stages of the election of a Chair and members of the Central Election Commission - first voting requires 90 votes in the legislative body and in case of failure to obtain the necessary votes, CEC representatives will be elected by 76 votes.
Certain candidates shall have the right to appeal for 76 votes twice, and the candidates elected by 76 votes shall acquire eligibility within the term of five years, the Parliament press office said.
According to the amendments, if the Parliament fails to give 76 votes and fails to elect the candidates at all stages, the issue shall be delegated to the President for resolution.
The draft law also annuls the position of Deputy Chair of the CEC, intended to be occupied by one of the party members with the opposition quote.
Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi and the Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Thursday said the parliamentary elections in October would be held “democratically”, with all domestic political parties having the opportunity to conduct their campaigns under “equal” conditions.
Ilia Darchiashvili, the candidate for the post of the Foreign Minister of Georgia, on Wednesday told lawmakers his office would send invitations for both short- and long-term observers from the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe to observe the general elections in October this month.
Giorgi Kalandarishvili, the Chair of the Central Election Commission, on Tuesday provided representatives from 40 political parties with a detailed overview of electronic voting technologies, the CEC said.
Having successfully obtained the EU candidate country status, Georgia is now poised to engage in membership negotiations with the European Union. We are now working on new ‘9 steps’. And this is a challenging period for our future integration with the EU, because the process coincides with the parliamentary elections later this year. Therefore, we need to make a serious effort to secure our democracy.
Giorgi Kalandarishvili, the Chair of the Central Election Commission, on Monday held an introductory meeting with Robin Dunnigan, the United States Ambassador to Georgia, discussing the process of preparations for the 2024 parliamentary elections, the CEC said.
The Georgian Central Election Commission on Thursday said it welcomed the involvement of international observer organisations in the general elections set for October in the country.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Thursday said votes of citizens in the general elections in October “need to be protected” from the opposition United National Movement party and its “satellite” domestic non-governmental organisations.
Peter Fischer, the German Ambassador to Georgia, on Friday said he hoped and believed Georgia would hold free, fair and competitive parliamentary elections in 2024.