Davit Matikashvili: There is an immature attempt to mislead the public and mischaracterize the planned amendments to the Election Code by suggesting that someone’s right to appeal is being taken away - this is complete nonsense and a lie!
There is an immature attempt to mislead the public and mischaracterize the planned amendments to the Election Code by suggesting that someone’s right to appeal is being taken away - this is complete nonsense and a lie! The protocol drawn up by the precinct election commission is precisely the instrument through which any interested party should take appropriate action if election violations are discovered. This is how Davit Matikashvili, an MP from Georgian Dream, explains the new provision being introduced into election legislation regarding the judicial appeal of the CEC’s summary protocol.
According to Matikashvili, the challenging of the CEC’s summary protocol—and whether the court upholds such a challenge—will depend on two factors: the technical accuracy with which the CEC reflects the information contained in the summary protocols of the precinct commissions, and the court’s subsequent ruling. Matikashvili stated that the court will only accept a complaint regarding the CEC’s summary protocol if it identifies a technical error of this nature.
He further noted that this approach is logically sound, as the actual dispute arises at the level of the precinct commission.
"Certain political forces have misrepresented this new provision, interpreting it in a way that suggests someone’s right to appeal is being taken away. In reality, the right to appeal—as established by law—remains entirely untouched. The protocol drawn up by the precinct election commission is the specific venue where any interested party, upon discovering irregularities at a polling station, should take appropriate action and file a formal complaint," stated Davit Matikashvili.
According to amendments to the Election Code proposed by "Georgian Dream" MPs, the summary protocol for all elections—including parliamentary elections, elections for the Mayor and City Council (Sakrebulo) of the capital, and municipal elections—must be drawn up within 15 days of the vote. The Central Election Commission (CEC) will be responsible for summarizing the results of all types of elections. District election commissions will no longer participate in the process of summarizing election results.
