A local parliament in Adjara Autonomous Republic passed amendments to the region’s election code laying out major electoral rules ahead of local elections planned in Adjara for this October.

Number of seats in the Supreme Council – the Adjara’s legislative body – was reduced from 30 to 18, according to the amendments passed with second and final third hearing on July 30.

Six out of 18 members will be elected through majoritarian contest in the Autonomous Republic’s single-mandate constituencies. A candidate receiving more than others, but not less than one-third of votes will be announced an outright winner of the majoritarian contest.

Remaining 12 seats will be contested through the party-list, proportional system.

Amendments have also reduced election threshold for party-list system from 7% to 5%.

The rule of composition of the local central election commission has also been changed. 

The commission will be composed of 13 members; six seats will be allocated to those opposition parties, which are currently being financed from the state budget - Conservative Party; Republican Party; Labor Party; On Our Own; Georgian Troupe and Christian-Democrats. One seat will go to the ruling National Movement Party and remaining six to certified election officials, who in fact are pro-ruling party candidates.