GYLA Challenges Ban on Overseas Voting in Constitutional Court
By Messenger Staff
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
The Georgian Young Lawyers' Association has launched a legal challenge to defend the voting rights of Georgian citizens living abroad, filing a case with the Constitutional Court on behalf of emigrants in France.
The lawsuit targets recent changes to the Election Code that ban the opening of polling stations in Georgian embassies and consulates. GYLA argues the rule violates constitutional guarantees of universal suffrage.
"The new regulation does not serve any valuable constitutional legitimate purpose," the organization said in a statement. It added that the restrictions create "an artificial financial and social barrier" through travel costs, job risks, and other pressures that effectively prevent many emigrants from voting.
GYLA also pointed to the economic role of emigrants, noting that remittances have been a major contributor to Georgia's economy. According to the statement, these realities make limiting their political participation especially problematic.
The group argued that past practice shows the state has long had the capacity to organize voting abroad through embassies and consulates, which fall under Georgian jurisdiction. It said the government's justification of preventing foreign interference is not sufficient to restrict voting rights.
If the Constitutional Court rules in favor of the claim, polling stations could be reopened in diplomatic missions during elections.
GYLA also warned that delays in reviewing major cases have weakened the court's role in protecting rights. "The delay in cases with a significant impact on human rights causes irreparable harm," the statement said.
The contested changes were adopted in December 2025. Georgian Dream Parlaiment Speaker Shalva Papuashvili defended the restrictions, citing risks of foreign influence on citizens living abroad. "There are special risks of influence for non-resident citizens," he said, adding that they can still vote if they return to Georgia during elections.
