You are entitled and encouraged to complain if your right to vote or more generally your right to free election has not been observed.
Central Election Commission (CEC)
In Georgia, voters do not have the right to appeal election violations at any stage of the election process. The subjects of election disputes are political parties and observation organizations. If the issue concerns election procedures, voting rights, or potential violations, they can file a complaint directly with the CEC.
If the violation occurred at the district or precinct election commissions, the subjects of election disputes can apply to the relevant district or precinct election commission within a specific period after the incident.
State Police
You can file a complaint with the police if your electoral rights or the election process have been violated in a manner that constitutes a criminal offense. Instances where it would be appropriate to file a complaint to the police include:
- If you were threatened, intimidated, or coerced to vote a certain way or prevented from voting freely, you can file a complaint with the police. Coercion or intimidation of voters is a criminal offense.
- If someone attempted to bribe you to vote for a specific candidate or party or to abstain from voting, this is a criminal violation under Georgian election law, and you should report it to the police.
- Tampering with or destroying ballots, ballot boxes, or other election materials is illegal. If you witness this, you can file a report with the police.
- If someone unlawfully prevents you or others from accessing polling stations or interferes with the voting process, it is grounds to file a police complaint. This includes instances where polling places are unlawfully closed or voters are obstructed from entering.
- If there is violence or physical aggression at or near a polling station, or if you are personally harmed or threatened in relation to your voting rights, you should report this to the police immediately.
Personal data protection service
Where there are violations of personal data protection, for example, if the personal data of voters is obtained illegally from a polling station, you should contact the Personal Data Protection Service.
Constitutional Court
If you are prohibited from voting by law and you believe that this is a violation of your human rights, you may also complain to the Constitutional Court. The Constitutional Court may, accordingly, declare the particular legal regulation restricting your right to vote to be incompatible with the Constitution.
Complaints to international human rights bodies
If you believe that a violation of your rights has not been remedied by Georgian institutions or courts, you can submit a complaint to international and European institutions, such as the European Court of Human Rights or the UN Human Rights Committee.