Civic initiative associations – “Defend” and “One Citizen – One Choice” will hold a rally on October 6th at 5:00 pm near the Chancellery to protect the voting rights of Georgian citizens living abroad. According to them, “the current electoral system significantly restricts the participation of diaspora representatives in elections” and they demand “the opening of additional polling stations in European countries, the establishment of regional electoral centers in the US, and increased transparency of the consular registration process.”
“Our organizations will continue to fight until all Georgians have the opportunity to make a free choice,” said Koka Jakhutashvili, head of “Defend” (“Daitsavi” in Georgian – initiative, created to defend electoral rights of citizens of Georgia).
“Silencing the voice of Georgians living abroad is not only a violation of their rights, but also endangers the democratic future of Georgia,” said Otar Zurabishvili, representative of “One Citizen One Choice”.
The rally was announced after the Court of Appeals upheld the September 8th ruling of the Civil Court, which, in turn, satisfied the motion of the Central Election Commission (CEC) to suspend the consideration of the lawsuit filed by ISFED (International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy).
The lawsuit filed by ISFED sought to invalidate the decision of the CEC chairman (on the basis of which citizens living abroad were denied the creation of polling stations), which violates the electoral rights of citizens, according to ISFED.
