Opposition and authorities in Georgia agree to write new electoral code together

Georgia, Tbilisi, Nov. 10 /Trend, N.Kirtskhalia/

At today's consultations in the parliament the opposition has received promises from the majority that it would review all positions to improve the electoral environment, the leader of the New Rights, David Gamkrelidze, told reporters after consultations of the opposition parties with parliament speaker David Bakradze.

According to him, today's meeting showed that, perhaps, work will begin on the new Electoral Code.

"The doors are open to all qualified political subjects, they will have the opportunity to join us at any stage. Meetings will be transparent. The public needs to know about what can be agreed," Gamkrelidze said.

Satisfaction from the meeting was also stated by speaker Bakradze, who noted that during the consultations will be adopted the Election Code of "a new type." "Today's meeting showed the willingness of participants of consultations to reach a compromise and make decisions by consensus," he said.

At today's meeting, the parties agreed that consultations would be held once per week. They will also be attended by representatives of international and local non-governmental organizations who work on elections.  

The initiative to start discussing a new Electoral Code was previously made by the leader of the parliamentary minority Georgy Targamadze.
Next parliamentary elections in Georgia are scheduled for 2012, presidential - in 2013.

Last time the Parliament of Georgia made changes to the Electoral Code in winter, specifying the date of local elections by June 1, 2010. The changes mainly affected the principles of the formation of the Central Election Commission and the elected local government, as well as conducting direct elections for mayor of Tbilisi.