Georgian FM: no restrictions being imposed on Georgian citizens regarding their right to participate in elections

There are no restrictions being imposed on Georgian citizens regarding their right to participate in elections, Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili said on Tuesday while discussing the newly proposed amendments to the Election Code.

According to the Minister, data clearly shows that votes cast abroad have no real impact on the final election outcome.

“Numbers demonstrate how much influence elections held abroad can have on overall results. In reality - none. That is one point. On the other hand, we see how the topic of elections is used to exert certain influences, and that is a separate issue. To uphold democratic principles, protect our citizens’ electoral rights, and maintain the country’s stability, this is the right step”, Botchorishvili explained.

The ruling Georgian Dream party recently announced changes to the Election Code. According to Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, lawmakers plan a fundamental update to the code by the end of the year. One of the key modifications concerns voting rules for non-resident citizens - those living abroad. Under the proposed changes, voting in both local self-governance elections and parliamentary elections would be permitted only within the borders of Georgia.