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2007 Assessment

Georgia: Integrity Indicators Scorecard

Georgia: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: Voting & Citizen Participation
Indicators		Score
14	Is there a legal framework guaranteeing the right to vote?	100
15	Can all citizens exercise their right to vote?	75
16	Are citizens able to participate equally in the political process?	85

Indicator and sub-Indicator Details

Is there a legal framework guaranteeing the right to vote?

14a: In law, universal and equal adult suffrage is guaranteed to all citizens.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Constitution of Georgia Electoral Code of Georgia

14b: In law, there is a legal framework requiring that elections be held at regular intervals.

Score:

YES

Comments: Constitution sets terms of office for elected institutions. Yet, last year the consitution was changed for one time use, and the 2008 presidential and parliamentary elections will be held together, on the same day. By amendments, the term in office of the current Parliament has been extended by six-eight months.

References: Constitution of Georgia

Can all citizens exercise their right to vote?

15a: In practice, all adult citizens can vote.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: OSCE election observance report at www.osce.com GYLA domestic monitoring organization report at www.gyla.ge ISFED domestic monitoring organization report at www.isfed.ge

Peer Review Comments: As the Armenian reporter rightly pointed out, Armenian ex-pats who work in Russia can't vote. I believe the same holds true for Georgia, as citizens are only eligible to vote if they reside within the country.

15b: In practice, ballots are secret or equivalently protected.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Election monitoring report at: www.osce.org.ge Election monitoring report at: www.gyla.ge

15c: In practice, elections are held according to a regular schedule.

Score:

100

Comments: The constitution of Georgia has been changed one time for the forthcoming elections, and presidential and parliamentary elections will be held simultaneously in the fall of 2008. Because of that change, the term in office of the current Parliament has been prolonged by six months.

References: Amendments to the Constitution of Georgia

Peer Review Comments: Yet, despite the recent constitutional changes, elections are usually held at regular intervals.

Peer Review Comments: Another possible issue here is the membership of election commissions. That is, who gets to select these people and on what basis.

Are citizens able to participate equally in the political process?

16a: In law, all citizens have a right to form political parties.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Constitution of Georgia, art.26 Law on Political Parties Electoral Code

16b: In law, all citizens have a right to run for political office.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Constitution of Georgia, art.29 Law on Political Parties Electoral Code

16c: In practice, all citizens are able to form political parties.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: While there is no guarantee of electoral success, political parties can form freely without opposition. <p>50 Score Criteria: Some barriers to formation are present, such as burdensome registration requirements that may not be fairly applied. Some parties\' political viewpoints may draw pressure from the government, such as surveillance or intimidation. Some political parties or organizations may have extra barriers to getting on a ballot. <p>0 Score Criteria: Some political parties are effectively barred from forming through some manner of official or unofficial pressure. This may include threats, arrest, or violence from competing parties or other groups.$

Comments:

References: Election Assessment in the South Caucasus, IDEA, 2004 at: [ LINK ] Party System in Georgia; Political Institutions in Georgia; CIPDD 2007 [ LINK ]

Peer Review Comments: This right is restricted in regards to regions. The law prohibits the establishment of regional parties.

16d: In practice, all citizens can run for political office.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Election Assessment in the South Caucasus, IDEA, 2004 at: [ LINK ] Party System in Georgia; Political Institutions in Georgia; CIPDD 2007 [ LINK ]

Peer Review Comments: Those parties that have secured a seat in the Parliament are also eligible to receive state funds to run their election campaigns.

16e: In practice, an opposition party is represented in the legislature.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: The opposition party always has some influence on the proceedings of the legislature. The opposition party can introduce legislation or bring pending matters to a vote without the consent of the ruling party. <p>50 Score Criteria: The opposition party has influence on the proceeding of the legislature, but it is limited in scope. The opposition\'s ability to force votes or publicly debate certain topics may be limited. <p>0 Score Criteria: The opposition party has only token participation in the legislature\'s proceedings and cannot advance legislation or force a debate.$

Comments:

References: Election Assessment in the South Caucasus, IDEA, 2004 at: [ LINK ] Building Democracy in Georgia: Agenda for Debate. IDEA 2002 [ LINK ]

Party System in Georgia; Political Institutions in Georgia; CIPDD 2007 [ LINK ]

Peer Review Comments: The parliament was elected right after the Rose Revolution, which is why the ruling party has an overwhelming majority.