Consortium Legal Aid Georgia (LAG)

State of Emergency in the Country

Elections and a brief Constitutional analysis

What you need to know during the State of Emergency in connection with the Elections!

According to the Constitution of Georgia -, every citizen of Georgia has the right to participate in

the elections of the state, autonomous republic and local self-government bodies from the age

of 18. (Constitution of Georgia Article: 24)

According to the same Constitution, in particular Article 37, the next parliamentary elections will

be held on the last Saturday of October in the calendar year, after expiration of the mandate of

the existing Parliament. (If the President of Georgia has not issued a special decree on State

Emergency and/or Martial Law /hostilities).

The President of Georgia shall appoint elections to the Parliament and local self-government

bodies in accordance with the rules established by the Constitution and organic law.

In addition, it is noteworthy that if the date coincides with the State of Emergency or Martial

Law, it won’t held in the usual manner prescribed, but the Elections are held after State of

Emergency has been abolished no less than 45 and no later than 60 days.

General Elections are not held during a State of Emergency or War. In case of a State of

Emergency in any part of the country, the decision on holding Elections in the rest of the country

is made by decision of the Parliament. (Constitution of Georgia Article: 71)

It is noteworthy that according to the Constitution of Georgia, a special board of the highest

state bodies exclusive competence belongs to: State defense, military industry and arms trade;

War and peace issues; Establishing and introducing a special legal regime for

Emergencies and Wars.