Georgia keeps controversial mixed voting system

On September 26, the Parliament of Georgia passed constitutional changes affecting the electoral system. Despite heavy protests by the opposition, civil society, and the Venice Commission, the mixed voting system will not be abolished until 2020. Votes for parties that fail to pass the electoral threshold will be transferred to the winning party, thus weakening the opposition.EPDE’s Georgian member ISFED and several other organizations support a proposal by the President of Georgia to improve this situation.

In the run-up to the local elections of October 21, ISFED has condemned conflicts of interests, illegal participation in campaigning, misuse of administrative resources, and the increasing trend of voter intimidation.

ISFED also published a policy brief on the challenges within the judiciary system of Georgia.