Planned amendments to the Election Code

Changes in election procedures

Under the bill initiated by "Georgian Dream" deputies, the summarization of election results is removed from the authority of district election commissions, and the CEC will carry this out based on the protocols of precinct commissions. The CEC will also issue the summary protocol for municipal assembly and mayoral elections. Furthermore, district election commissions will no longer have the obligation to recount five polling stations selected by random sampling on the sixth day after the vote. Interpressnews+3

According to the amendments, the deadline for the commencement of the authority of newly elected municipal assemblies and mayors is set at 9 days instead of 14. Also, the deadline for submitting financial reports to the Audit Office is changing: according to interpressnews, the subject will submit the report no later than the 5th day after the vote, while according to 1tv, this deadline will be the 12th day. Interpressnews+1

Appeals and observers

Under the bill, it will be possible to appeal the CEC's summary protocol only on specific grounds; otherwise, the court will not accept the lawsuit for proceedings. The district election commission will be granted the right to open sealed documentation and recount ballots based on a complaint. Publika+1

The amendments also concern the registration of observers: international and multi-district local organizations will be registered by the CEC chairperson, while single-district ones will be registered by the district commission chairperson. An international observer organization will be able to have no more than two observers at one polling station. Publika+1

Media and advertising

The amendments also concern the rules for media coverage of the pre-election campaign. The norm that allowed broadcasters to redistribute unused airtime to other subjects is being abolished. Also, the rules for the visual presentation of political advertising are being tightened, specifically the obligation to clearly display the subject's data during the advertisement. Interpressnews+2