Recommendations for media representatives on election day coverage


The partner organisations of the Media Advocacy Coalition are ready to provide legal assistance to media organisations and journalists on Election Day regarding the rules photo-video shooting and other election procedures.

 

โ˜Ž๏ธ You can contact us on the hotline numbers:

The Media Advocacy Coalition 555 795 776

ISFED 0 800 100 143

Georgian Young Lawyersโ€™ Association 577361520

The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics 555133345

The Georgian Democracy Initiative 598 823 201

Rights Georgia 577 222 361 555 21 66 21

Institute for Development of Freedom of Information 599 000 246

Media Rights 599 08 03 53

 

General Rules for Media Coverage of Election Day

On election day, carry your identity card/passport and accreditation card issued by the CEC.

The polling station opens at 7am on election day.

Do not wear any symbols or signs of any electoral subject.

โœ… Wearing a facemask in the polling station is necessary.

 

The right to take photographs and videos in the polling station

It is forbidden to take photos or videos of the polling station.

Recording an interview is only allowed outside the polling station.

The minimum distance for any person to take a photo or video should be at least 3 metres. If the voting building does not allow observing a 3-meter distance, the distance will be determined by the chairperson of the relevant precinct election commission.

In the polling station, you can have free 10 minutes for photo and video shooting.

From 07:00 AM - until the end of the vote count - it is possible to take photographs from a place specially designated by the PEC chairperson.

๐Ÿ“ธ The voting process of voters of high public interest (political officials, leaders of electoral subjects and political groups, religious leaders) may be filmed by persons with the right to be in the polling station without hindrance/restriction. 

 

Reporting interference in professional activities

According to article 91 of the Electoral Code, restricting media representatives to exercise the rights of established by law or obstructing their activities is punishable by a fine of GEL 500.

Any interference in the polling station will be recorded in the so-called logbook.

 

โ—๏ธโ—๏ธโ—๏ธReminder: In case of violation of the above-mentioned norms, the Precinct Election Commission decides by majority vote to expel the person concerned from the polling station, which is recorded in the logbook.

 

Working outside the polling station

It is not permitted to place campaign material within 25 metres of the entrance to the polling station. This material is subject to removal/dismantling/confiscation.

 

It is also not permitted to physically obstruct the movement of voters inside the polling station or within 100 metres of the polling station.

 

It is not allowed to facilitate gathering people or registering voters within 100 meters of the polling station on the day of voting.

 

By dialing 1๏ธ1๏ธ2๏ธ, you should report any disturbance and/or violation of the law outside the polling station.

 

๐Ÿ“– Detailed recommendations prepared by the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics

๐Ÿ“– Decree No. 42/2012 of the Central Election Commission of Georgia of 24 September 2012 on the Definition of Some Electoral Procedures.

๐Ÿ“– The Election Code of Georgia