Opposition Slams Election Code Amendments

Proposed amendments to the election code ignore all the key proposals pushed for by the opposition, the Republican Party said on March 21.

Parliament is expected to discuss and vote on amendments at the third and final hearing this evening.

“The amendments, which will be endorsed by Parliament, confirm that the authorities’ statements about a readiness for dialogue and attempts to settle problems are a farce and mere demagogy,” Tina Khidasheli of the Republican Party said.

Khidasheli outlined seven issues which were of special concern for the party:

1. An amendment envisages electing 75 majoritarian MPs in the single-mandate constituencies. Khidasheli said it stipulates that a candidate winning more than others and more than 30% of the vote would be declared the outright winner in the first round without the need for a runoff. The opposition wants to abolish this system of electing majoritarian MPs in the single-mandate constituencies, or at least wants an increase in the 30% threshold to 50%, but the ruling party is reluctant to agree, knowing that a potential runoff would not favor it.

2. Amendments envisage distribution of seats at all levels of election administrations based on the principle of six against seven in favor of the authorities.

“Naturally, the National Movement will gain the majority in the commissions and important decisions will be made with a majority vote,” Khidasheli said.

The ruling party has proposed that the opposition nominate their members as secretaries of the election commissions. It, however, is not yet clear whether this proposal will be reflected in the amendment before it is approved with its final reading.

3. The amendment, Khidasheli said, says nothing on the election of the chairman of the Central Election Commission through agreement between the opposition and the authorities.

4. Procedures for submitting complaints have been complicated, according to the amendment, Khidasheli said.

5. Key indicators will be removed from the vote tally papers: the number of valid ballot papers and the total number of voters, according to Khidasheli.

6. The district election commissions will have the right to amend tallies received from the precinct election commissions.

7. The amendment authorizes public officials to become members of election commissions, which in fact, Khidasheli said, would legalize the practice of “illegal interference” by local officials in the activities of the precinct election commissions.