Georgia’s Central Election Commission will review plans for opening 60 polling stations in 42 foreign countries for the October 26 general elections, marking an increase from their number during the 2020 vote, CEC Spokesperson Natia Ioseliani told the press on Thursday, according to Agenda.ge.

In a briefing ahead of the CEC session, Ioseliani noted the newly proposed polling stations would include countries that had not hosted them in previous elections.

The proposal includes the opening of polling stations in countries like the United Arab Emirates, Finland, South Korea, Japan, and Australia”, she said.

Ioseliani highlighted the polling stations abroad could be established for at least 50 and at most 3,000 voters who were on consular registration.

"There are no additional regulations in the election legislation regarding Georgian citizens living abroad”, Ioseliani noted, while also claiming “recent attempts to politicise the issue”.

“Despite clarifications made by the election administration, some have sought to shift the debate from a legal context to a political one, misleading voters in the process. We urge all involved parties to refrain from such tactics and to foster a healthy electoral environment”, the Spokesperson added.

She also reaffirmed the CEC’s “commitment to providing transparent and timely updates to the public” and ensuring “there is no space for misinformation or manipulation of the election process”, while also pledging to release “detailed information” on the session's outcomes after its conclusion.