One of the users of Facebook intensively spreads false information in the social network about the presence of Georgian citizens in emigration in the unified list of voters, said today the Central Election Commission spokesperson, Natia Ioseliani.

“The mentioned person calls on the emigrants to check their data in the unified list of voters and in case they find their personal data in the list, asks them to inform their relative, who should submit complaints at the polling station on the E-day. This post is being widely shared and it has already been shared in up to 50 Facebook groups, where mostly immigrants are members.

We want to underline that a citizen of Georgia with the right to vote will be included in the unified list of voters, regardless the person’s residence in Georgia or abroad. For that they shall be registered in Georgia and possess a valid ID document. Individuals who are abroad have special indication in the voters’ list along with their data signifying that they reside out of the country. There are certain individuals who are currently abroad but they do not have consular registration, consequently no information is available on them. Thus, the fact that the data of a person in emigration is included in the unified list of voters does not indicate any violation. On the contrary, the suffrage of the voter is protected in this way, as it is not known in advance when a particular person will return to Georgia; and if he / she returns to the country on election day, he / she should be able to participate in the elections. In addition, it is incorrect to call upon voters to summit complaint at the election precincts on E-day since voters are not allowed to appeal cases at the election precincts on polling day.

It is important to note that on E-day 17 commission members are present at the election precinct, including party representatives. The process is also monitored by observer organizations and media representatives. Thus, the suffrage of each voter is ensured by the involvement of all electoral stakeholders”, - explained the CEC spokesperson.