For making an informed choice, it is critically important to have multiple sources of information, which, under conditions of living abroad, is sometimes practically impossible — there, alternative opinions and alternative voices are hardly heard, Procedural Issues Committee Chair Davit Matikashvili said at a committee meeting during the presentation of the new Electoral Code draft. One of the key changes in this draft is that polling stations will no longer be opened for emigrants abroad, and they will have to return to Georgia to vote.

During the legislative package presentation, Matikashvili also referred to the case of Michael Roth, noting how Roth organized certain processes during parliamentary elections in Germany, which constituted clear interference in the electoral process.

“This decision is based on the following arguments: there must be an informed choice. Considering the polarization of the media, in any other country, a person — willingly or unwillingly — is subject to and influenced by the local governing system. Naturally, everything around them has an impact.

To neutralize this influence and have an objective perspective, it is critically important for an informed choice to have multiple sources of information. While living abroad, this is very difficult and sometimes practically impossible when a person receives information from only one source due to their political preferences. There, alternative opinions and voices are practically unheard. The only environment where it is possible to properly and fully understand political factors is one’s own homeland, where even in the air the significance of political factors is ingrained, and accessing alternative opinions is not difficult.

Although it is understandable that even coming to one’s homeland once every four years and returning may not be easy and requires preparation and expenses, given the importance of the matter, the principles of national sovereignty, and the implementation of power by the people through elections, this is a very important decision that will determine our country’s present and future.

The results of parliamentary elections determine the fate and functioning of the country for the next four years. Therefore, making an informed and fundamentally rational decision is extremely important.”

The new version of the Electoral Code and accompanying draft laws will be considered in parliamentary committees for the first reading.