Georgia’s Parliament has announced plans to introduce amendments to the country’s electoral law that would prohibit Georgian citizens living abroad from voting in future elections. Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili confirmed the upcoming review of these proposed legal changes during a recent statement.
The proposed amendments aim to restrict voting rights for Georgians residing outside the country, a move that has garnered both support and criticism domestically. Currently, over 1.5 million Georgian citizens are estimated to reside abroad, many of whom participate in national elections through absentee voting processes.
The decision to limit overseas voting rights is expected to undergo parliamentary deliberation in the near future. Supporters argue that the measure could streamline electoral processes, while opponents express concerns over voter disenfranchisement and the implications for Georgians living abroad. The outcome of the legislative review will likely influence the electoral landscape and the country’s engagement with its diaspora community.