Venice Commission approves amendments to Electoral Code of Georgia

The analysis of the amendments to the Electoral Code of Georgia has shown that, taken overall, the document "prepossesses for democratic elections," runs the brief press release of the Venice Commission, circulated after the meeting on December 16.

The Venice Commission was preparing its recommendations for 6 months; now, the way they are followed will define the openness and democratic nature of the next year's parliamentary elections in Georgia. Local and foreign experts say that the quality of the elections will define the support for Georgia in the international arena and the process of Georgia's rapprochement with NATO and the European Union.

During four months, three members of the Venice Commission and an expert from the OSCE conducted a detailed analysis of the Georgian Electoral Code. They examined the set of amendments that will form the foundation of a new electoral system for the next parliamentary and presidential elections.

Within the week to come, the website of the Venice Commission will post the full text of the conclusion compiled by international experts. Then, the new wording of the Electoral Code will go for consideration by the Georgian Parliament.

The press release of the Venice Commission states that the Georgian leaders have taken most of the proposals into account, the "Echo of the Caucasus" reports.

"The Unites States support Georgia's democracy and choice – the most important phenomenon of democracy. We'll help Georgia to ensure free and transparent elections. At the same time, we believe that the recommendations of the Venice Commission are quite valuable; and it would be helpful for the Georgian legislation to take into account these recommendations," the GHN conveys Eric Rubin, the US Deputy Undersecretary of State, who spoke at a press conference in Tbilisi on December 16.