Georgian Election Commission denies opposition request for additional polling stations abroad

The Central Election Commission (CEC) has rejected the opposition’s request to add more polling stations abroad. The issue was discussed during a CEC meeting on September 26, where David Kirtadze, a representative of the opposition United National Movement (UNM), proposed that polling stations be opened in all locations where Georgian citizens have requested them. He argued that these requests meet the requirements outlined in Georgia’s electoral code.

Among the cities abroad where the opposition requested additional polling stations were Boston, Lodz, Toronto, Antwerp, Miami, Stuttgart, Valencia, Hamburg, Naples, and others.

The CEC said that updated data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicates that there are 65,508 Georgian citizens with voting rights registered at consulates outside the country. Based on this information, the CEC decided to open 60 polling stations in 53 cities across 42 countries.