International good practice recommends that key aspects of electoral legislation not be open to amendment less than one year before an election, – the ODIHR opinion on draft amendments to the election code of Georgia notes.

“The draft proposes changes in the fundamental elements of electoral law, including the electoral system. International good practice recommends that key aspects of electoral legislation not be open to amendment less than one year before an election. The change would be implemented by amendments to the organic law, which according to the Constitution, can be changed by a simple majority of votes in the parliament” the document reads.

According to the same document, the choice of the electoral system is a sovereign decision of the state, so long as the chosen electoral system is consistent with the state’s obligations under international law.

“The choice of the electoral system is a sovereign decision of the state, so long as the chosen electoral system is consistent with the state’s obligations under international law. International standards do not prescribe the choice of electoral systems. The choice of an electoral system, whether it should be a majoritarian, proportional, hybrid, or alternative system, should be subject to a broad inclusive debate which allows relevant stakeholders to bring forward positive and negative effects of the reform. Any proposed changes have to be carefully considered, including their adoption by a large consensus among political parties” – the report published by ODIHR reads.

ODIHR opinion on draft amendments to the election code of Georgia has been published today.