The Basic Principles of Electoral Rights
Voting rights in Georgia are governed by the Electoral Code, whose Article 3 sets out the basic principles for holding elections, referenda and plebiscites. Active suffrage belongs to every citizen of Georgia who, before or on the day of the election, has turned or turns 18 years old and meets the conditions established by the Code. Voters participate on an equal basis, and every voter of the same electoral district has an equal number of votes. Elections in Georgia are direct: members of Parliament, members of sakrebulo and mayors are elected directly by voters, while the President is elected by an electoral college through an open ballot without debate. Voting is secret; the coercion, intimidation of a voter or violation of the secrecy of the vote is prohibited and triggers criminal liability of the offender. These foundations make the electoral process transparent and equal for every participant.
The Unified Voter List and Its Verification
Under Article 31 of the Code, the unified voter list is compiled on the basis of the population registration database, data on deceased persons and consular registration; it also includes persons who will turn 18 by election day. The Central Election Commission updates the list several times a year. A voter is entitled to request access only to the data concerning the voter and the voter's family members, and, upon discovering an inaccuracy, to demand a correction no later than the 18th day before election day. The district election commission reviews an application within 2 days of its receipt, and, if fewer than 2 days remain before polling day, immediately. A refusal may be challenged in court. Changes to the lists are prohibited during the last 12 days before election day except in cases provided by the Code, and in a defined period a change may be made only by a court decision. Under Article 34, the precinct commission must post the voter lists in a visible place no later than the day after their transfer; the lists carry marks such as consular registration, presence abroad, military service, hospitalization or inclusion in the mobile ballot box list.
The Voter Card
Under Article 35 of the Code, the precinct election commission hands the voter card to the voter no earlier than 30 days and no later than 2 days before polling day. The card indicates the date and time of the vote, the address of the polling building, the voter's number in the list, the precinct number and the place of registration. A significant guarantee is that non-receipt of the card is not a ground for restricting the right to participate in the vote: the voter exercises the right to vote with an identity document, which protects citizens from administrative obstacles.