III. DISCUSSION OF THE DRAFT NATIONAL ELECTIONS LAW AND THE DRAFT ELECTION COMMISSIONS LAW

L. Voter lists

Article 15 introduces the concept of the so-called “electoral address”, allowing voters to vote where they find themselves on election day regardless of their registered (permanent or/and temporary) residence. This new provision seems to enjoy broad support because it has the potential to enfranchise such voters, mainly in the urban areas, who have found employment away from their registered permanent residence and have not registered temporary residence in line with the law due to heavy bureaucratic procedures. Within 40 days but not later than 10 days before election day, voters can apply to vote in the location where they anticipated being on election day, the “election address”.  The “electoral addresses” are to be collected by the polling station commissions, which then are transferred to the TECs. The applications are forwarded to territorial election commissions, who have seven days to decide. The final voter list must be established no later than three days prior to election day and submitted to the precinct electoral commissions.