Statements

On 17 December 2025, the Georgian Dream Parliament adopted a new Election Code in its third reading. The new Code introduces several substantially different regulations, among which one of the most significant changes is the abolition of the possibility to vote abroad in parliamentary elections. Georgian citizens living outside the country had exercised this right for many years and ahead of the 2024 parliamentary elections an unprecedented number – up to 100,000 Georgian citizens – registered at polling stations opened in foreign states.

Given the geographical mobility in modern societies, depriving citizens abroad of the opportunity to participate in elections is yet another step against inclusive democracy. The abolition of the possibility to open polling stations in other states, without offering alternative voting means, unreasonably and disproportionately restricts the electoral rights of Georgian citizens and undermines the principle of universal suffrage. To protect the voting rights of Georgian citizens residing abroad, ISFED will file a constitutional complaint with the Constitutional Court of Georgia and will use all relevant international legal mechanisms.

ISFED will present a full analysis of the new Election Code soon.