Home > 2.1.1 Electoral commissions > GEORGIA - Joint Opinion on the Election Code
 
 
 
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Paragraph 90
 

 Article 21.1.i provides that the authority of a commission member terminates if the party, which appointed the member, “recalls” the member.[44] In light of Article 19.3, the rationale for recall is questionable. In fact, there is no justification for allowing discretionary recall of an election commission member because the possibility of such recall will undermine the impartiality and independence of commission members. The amendment introduced in June 2006 to Article 21.5, which currently states that “recalling of a precinct election commission member during the last 15 days before the vote, is prohibited”, attests to the legislator’s attempts at ensuring stability of precinct election commissions. Nevertheless, this amendment does not address the fundamental problem that gave rise to the recommendation. It is recommended that the Election Code should be amended to provide legal protection to members of election commissions in order to prevent their wrongful removal by political parties, and to enhance their ability to perform their duties independently, impartially, and professionally.[45]