Tbilisi, Georgia, March 7
By Nana Kirtzkhalia - Trend:
Georgian parliament adopted the draft of amendments to the Electoral Code in the third reading unanimously, with 80 votes on March 7.
The amendments envisage the holding of elections to local authorities scheduled for June 15.
Representatives of the parliamentary minority didn't support the new version of the draft and refused to participate in the debates.
Candidates for burghs' mayors and for regional administration heads will not be able simultaneously run for local governments under the proportional system, according to the draft law.
Initiative groups will be able to nominate candidates for mayors and regional administration heads. Biometric voter lists will be introduced in the elections.
Candidates are required to gather 59 percent of votes to win in the local elections.
These are the first direct elections of heads of some 12 cities and heads of regional administrations.
Earlier, representatives of the former ruling party, United National Movement, expressed dissatisfaction with the provision of the draft Electoral Code. The draft of amendments to the electoral law was worked out solely by the ruling Georgian Dream collation, the representatives of the opposition stated.
Translated by L.Z.