President of Georgia supports opposition's proposals on Electoral Code

The draft of amendments to the Electoral Code of Georgia, which is being prepared by the presidential administration and the non-parliamentary opposition, will become an alternative to the draft being examined by the Parliament. In particular, it will include a paragraph on more fair, according to the opposition, distribution of air time.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the elections to the Georgian Parliament are scheduled for October 8, 2016. On May 28, the Constitutional Court recognized unconstitutional some provisions of the Electoral Code. The Georgian Parliament is busy with examining the draft amendments to the Electoral Code; however, the opposition strongly disagrees to that draft amendments.

At the meeting held on June 17, the decision was made to establish a working group to prepare draft amendments to the Electoral Code. The draft amendments will be prepared during two or three days, states Giorgi Akhvlediani, one of the leaders of the "United Democratic Movement" (UDM) Party.

The alternative draft amendments are to reflect the rule for distribution of free air time for advertising. According to the draft amendments, all parties from the "Georgian Dream" coalition will receive air time on an equal basis with non-coalition associations.

"Free air time is a serious resource, and we are deprived of 2/3 of air time, which is distributed among the parties of the 'Georgian Dream' coalition. And alternatively, we offer equal distribution of air time not at the expense of other parties," emphasizes Giorgi Akhvlediani.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.