ElectionsThe legal basis for elections is the Constitution of Georgia, Election Code of Georgia, Law on Tbilisi - the Capital of Georgia, Law on Referendum, Organic Law on Local Self-Government, Organic Law on Citizens’ Political Union, Law on Public Service; Law on Broadcasting, etc.
According to the Constitution of Georgia citizens of Georgia should regulate local issues through the self-governance. The rule of creation, authority and relation with state institutions of local self-government is defined by the Organic Law on Local Self-Government.
The legal basis for preparation and implementation of elections in local self-government representative bodies – City Council (Sakrebulo) and elections of Tbilisi Mayor is defined by the Organic Law - Election Code of Georgia - that sets a rule for elections to City Council (so called Sakrebulo) and Mayor of Tbilisi and the election system.
According to the election code, elections of local self-government bodies have to be held on May 30, 2010. Authority of the local self-government elected in 2006 is abolished when the first meeting of the newly elected City Council (Sakrebulo) is held. In municipalities of Eredvi, Tigvi, Qurta, Ajara and Akhalgori no elections are planned and consequently authorities of corresponding local bodies in these municipalities remain.
The right of nomination of candidates in local self-governmental elections has only independent political parties and blocks participating in elections.
In May 30, 2010 the first direct elections of Tbilisi Mayor will be held.
Mayor of Tbilisi should be a citizen of Georgia with election rights, from the age of 25, who has been permanently residing in Georgia for at least 5 years and speaks Georgian language.
Candidate that receives the most of votes, but no less than 30% of total votes should be considered as winner of elections. If no winner is revealed the second round of elections should be conducted with 2 candidates having best results and the one who receives majority of votes should be considered as the winner.
Member of City Council (Sacrebulo) should be a citizen of Georgia who has reached the age of 21 by the Election Day and who has been resided in Georgia at least for 5 years.
Elections of Tbilisi City Council (Sakrebulo) are conducted by majoritarian and proportional electoral systems. Tbilisi Sakrebulo consists of 50 members, among them 25 are elected on territories of single-mandate majoritarian election districts and 25 through proportionate rule on the whole territory of Tbilisi.
Besides Tbilisi the self-government elections are held is 59 municipalities and four self-governing cities.
Municipality representative body - Sakrebulo consists of 10 members elected on the basis of proportional system and one member from each community and city that is part of this election district on the basis of majoritarian electoral system.
In self-governing cities Batumi, Kutaisi and Rustavi 10 members are elected based on majoritarian system and 15 members based on proportional system (25 altogether), in Poti 5 members based on majoritarian system and 10 based on proportional system (15 altogether).
