"We're undertaking another essential group activity today. The Working Group on Revision of Election Code is now meeting for the first time. The objective of this group, which is explicitly stated in the recommendations made by the European Commission, is to update Georgia's election laws in accordance with the Venice Commission and OSCE/ODIHR guidelines”, - Givi Mikanadze, the First Deputy Chairman of the faction "Georgian Dream" and the Head of the Working Group on Revision of Election Code, stated at the briefing.

 

According to him, a very large part of these recommendations has already been implemented by the multi-party working group operating in the Parliament last year, in whose work both experts and representatives of the civil sector were involved.

 

"Last year, at the conclusion of the spring session, we passed a sizable package of legislative amendments that incorporated the Venice Commission's and the OSCE/ ODIHR's, two highly regarded international organizations, recommendations. Nevertheless, since the European Commission made this suggestion, of course, we established a group that will conduct its operations in the manner of the Legal Issues Committee. The committee office created a special paper with a list of topics for this group, which we will examine in-depth with opposition representatives, representatives from several agencies involved in this process, and members of the civic sector”, - the Head of the Working Group stated.

 

According to Givi Mikanadze, the initial discussion of the issues will be held today, and probably the second meeting of the group will be held on August 25, where the members of the group will have the opportunity to submit specific proposals, after which the Committee's office will start preparing a package of specific legislative amendments.

 

"The proposal calls for the package of adjustments to be started no later than September 21 and reflected in the election code while taking into account the Venice Commission's and the OSCE/ODIHR’s recommendations. The transparency of this procedure will be maximized. Our door is open to the numerous local and international organizations and embassies who wish to join in this process”, - the Head of the Working Group stated.

 

The working group includes 4 members of the parliamentary majority, one member each from the political groups - "Girchi", "Citizens" and "European Socialists", one non-attached MP from the party "For Georgia". Representatives of the CEC, the State Audit Service, the National Communications Commission, and civil society will also participate in the group's activities.

 

"The Eastern Partnership Platform announced the names of two groups this morning that will take part in the process, Association of Young Lawyers and Fair Elections. Even though the Eastern Partnership platform knew beforehand that the participation of "Fair Elections" was unacceptable, they nevertheless offered this organization. We decided to limit attendance to the "Young Lawyers Association" for this meeting. The foundation for this is that only non-governmental organizations that uphold neutrality should take part in this process. When they sought the removal of the government, the dismissal of the prime minister, the formation of a technical government, and involvement in the process during the most recent protest in front of the parliament, "Fair Elections" lost this objectivity. They cannot be invited to the working group since it is impossible to discuss their neutrality in this situation. According to information from the Eastern Partnership platform, different groups will take part in several meetings according to the rotational participation principle. Any neutral non-governmental organization is welcome to join our working group, and we think their involvement will be very beneficial to the process", - Givi Mikanadze.