The deployment of new electronic voting systems in Georgia as the country faces a critical election brings with it a number of risks.
With less than a month to go before the 2024 parliamentary elections on 26 October, Georgia’s voters are facing a critical juncture with the potential to transform the country’s immediate and long-term future.
Alongside an unprecedented political landscape and a first ever fully proportional election, voters will also be faced with large-scale use of electronic voting technologies, following a decision made by the Central Election Commission (CEC) in February 2023.
The announcement that 90% of voters would cast their votes electronically was made in response to EU and OSCE demands, and these technologies, including voter verification machines and electronic vote counting and tabulation systems, aim to enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and transparency of the electoral process.
But the rapid rollout of these technologies presents several challenges, with the unprecedented scale of their implementation in Georgia raising concerns about potential technical issues and operational difficulties. Observers have reported problems including technical malfunctions and insufficient preparation among electoral officials, which could, alongside other factors specific to the new systems, undermine the credibility of the election results.
Consequently, it is looking increasingly likely that without sufficient preparation, the new technologies could provide a further risk in an already fraught election.
Voter education
Effective voter education is crucial for the success of Georgia’s electoral reforms, particularly in relation to new electronic voting technology and updated voting procedures.
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One key change is a new rule for ballot validity: previously, any marking that clearly expressed a voter’s will was accepted, but now only ballots with a clear mark inside the relevant circle will be considered valid. It is vital that voters are fully informed about the change, to ensure that they are able to cast their votes effectively.
However, political turmoil and controversy over recent government measures have diverted attention from voter education, creating a risk of confusion at the polls. To address this, election authorities need to conduct robust information campaigns, especially in rural and marginalised areas, to ensure voters are fully informed about the new voting process and rules.
Procedural changes
The change in technology has also affected voting procedures, including an increase in the maximum number of voters per polling precinct from 1,500 to 3,000.
This change, combined with insufficient space in some polling stations, will lead to longer queues and potential delays. Observation of previous pilot tests of electronic technologies in Georgia have revealed that inadequate space and poorly designed voting booths could compromise the secrecy of the vote, with nearby individuals potentially able to observe voters’ choices. Addressing these issues requires better planning and design to ensure that the voting process remains secure and efficient.
There are also concerns that those working to facilitate the vote will not be adequately prepared for their new responsibilities.
