Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), and Transparency International – Georgia held a meeting with international organizations in Georgia and representatives of embassies accredited in the country.

The meeting focused on discussion of outcomes of the meeting with the parliamentary legal committee following September 30, 2011 release of recommendations and comments elaborated by the three organizations. Recommendations of the organizations dealt with the election system offered by the new draft of the Election Code, norms regulating use of administrative resources, transparency and monitoring of election funding, formation of voters’ lists, work of the election administration and problems related to electoral dispute procedures. 

During the meeting the legal committee shared some of the issues raised by the NGOs; however, there are certain issues remaining in the recommendations that will no longer be subject to the legal committee’s review and amendment - e.g. increase of number of MPs, formation of voters’ lists by a special commission. Additionally, there are some issues that could be further discussed before they are finally decided on. These issues include abolishment of inking, restriction of use of administrative resources. 

Taking into account the issues discussed at the meeting will improve election legislation in some cases and avoid its deterioration in others, so that legislative standards go back to their current state. 

Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), and Transparency International – Georgia are planning to hold public discussions on the Election Code reform starting from October 20 in different regions of Georgia. The NGOs will continue their work with the parliament of Georgia and other stakeholders.