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.