Three multi-party elections of October 28, 1990, October 11, 1992 and November 5, 1995 has already created a certain experience and traditions of parliamentarism.

Elections of Georgian parliament of October 31, 1999 similar to elections of Georgian parliament of November 5, 1995 are regulated by Georgian constitution adopted in 1995 and the law of Georgia on the Parliamentary Elections adopted the same year. According to these regulations Parliament of Georgia is elected for a 4-year term. Elections are held by mixed majority-proportional system. 235 MPs should be elected, out of them 150 MPs are elected by party lists on the basis of proportional system and 85 MPs - according to single mandate election districts on the basis of majority election system.

Elections of Georgian parliament of October 31, 1999 similar to elections of Georgian parliament of November 5, 1995 is held on the whole territory of Georgia except Abkhazia and 8 election districts, Tskhinvali and Java election districts. Therefore, instead of 85 single-mandate election districts there are only 75 ones, this means - only 75 MPs are elected by majority system. According to the article 59 of transitional provisions for the 1999 parliamentary elections: " Before the complete restoration of the jurisdiction of Georgia in Abkhazia and before the necessary conditions are created for the elections of members of the Parliament of Georgia: a) Citizens elected from Abkhazia as a result of the 1992 elections who are members of the Parliament of Georgia by the time of the enforcement of this Law, shall have their mandate as members of the Parliament extended.……"

There are 10 Mps in the present Parliament elected from Abkhazia in 1992.

Despite much similarity in election legislation this year elections differ from 1995 elections in several main points represented in Georgian constitution and election law. The parliament of Georgia made amendments in the law on elections at the special session. The initiator of this amendment was Citizens' Union of Georgia.

These amendments have basically changed a rule of election commissions establishment. Before amendments a chairman and two members of CEC were appointed by the parliament and other members - by parliamentary parties. Besides, 5 non-parliament parties could together appoint one member. There should be minimum 23 members in CEC. According to new rules CEC consists of 17 members, 4 out of them together with a chairman are appointed by president, with the parliament agreement for a 5-year term. The parliament of Georgia elects 5 members of CEC for a 4-year term, out of them there should be no more than 3 parliamentary majority representatives.

Higher representation bodies of Abkhasia and Ajara autonomous republics have right to appoint one person each. 7 parties having the best results in 1998 Self-governing Bodies' Elections have the same right. These are the following: 1. Citizens 'Union of Georgia, 2. Union of Democrat Revival, 3. Labor Party of Georgia, 4. Socialist Party of Georgia, 5. National-Democrat party, 6. People's Party, 7. Union of Georgian Traditionalists.

District and precinct commissions are established by the similar rule. CEC appoints chairmen of district commissions and 6 members, and district commissions appoint 6 members of precinct commissions; besides members of district and precinct commissions are appointed by the parties noted above.

As a result of these amendments Citizens' Union of Georgia has managed to get majority at all level election commissions.

The second main amendment in election legislation is a constitutional one, as a result of it 5% election barrier has been raised up to 7% election barrier. The initiator of this change was National Democrat Party, that got support from Citizens' Union of Georgia (although, Citizens' Union of Georgia had previously suggested to get the barrier down to 3%).

One more amendment to be underlined is the demand for non-government organizations willing to monitor elections to pre-register in CEC 10 days prior to elections. Determining of registration conditions is delegated to CEC by the law. CEC adopted the decree - monitoring of elections should be done by non-government organizations, that: a) are established before January 1 1998, b) monitoring of election process is regarded as one of their goals in their regulation and c) do not represent interests of any party candidate. Unfortunately, because of this decree of CEC, only few organizations will be able to monitor elections.

While making amendments in election law, opposition parties demanded a strict system of voters' identification. Namely, they demanded to mark voters by special ink, in order to exclude multiple voting. Majority rejected this suggestion with the reason that it would be offensive for voters. Voters' lists and voters' identification is traditionally the most vulnerable point in election law.

According to the election law a party (a bloc) or a candidate can start pre-election agitation at the moment of registration in corresponding election commission. Any agitation on elections' day is forbidden. During elections period state TV and radio channels must provide free daily 3-hour broadcasting time aimed to pre-election agitation. This broadcasting time must be equally distributed among parties and blocs participating in elections. State TV and radio channels are forbidden to sell broadcasting time for pre-election agitation. Private companies have right to sell their broadcasting time, but there must be a fixed one and the same price for all private channels. Opposite to the former regulations, CEC new decree has limited number of journalists that can be accredited at any election commission, the same concerns accreditation at precincts on the day of elections. For example, Daly newspaper can send 7 correspondents and 7 photo-correspondents to precincts on Election Day and state and private TV and radio channels can send the same number of correspondents.

For pre-election agitation a party has a right to spend as many 5000 GEL as many of their members are represented in the party list (the list should include maximum 150 members), and a majority candidate - maximum 5000 GEL.

In order to participate in elections and be registered, a party must either collect 50000 signatures of supporters, or be represented in the parliament - have an MP, a majority candidate must collect 1000 signatures, an MP does not need signatures.

CEC finished registration of candidates for 1999 October 31 elections on September 6. 42 parties and 8 election blocs have been registered. For October 1 - 22 parties and 13 election blocs are left, the rest has refused to participate in elections. Among those willing to participate in elections are parties that boycotted 1992, 1995 and 1998 elections - so called "Zviadists" - the bloc "Round Table - Free Georgia". A certain part of "Zviadists" (about ten unregistered political parties) lead by the spouse of ex-president of Georgia - Zviad Gamsakhurdia - Manana Archvadse still boycott this elections.

Experts consider main rivals to be Citizens' Union of Georgia - lead by Eduard Shevardnadse - the president of Georgia (they represent majority in the present parliament) and the bloc "Revival of Georgia" - lead by Aslan Abashidse - a chairman of Ajara Autonomos Republic Supreme Board. The bloc includes the following parties: "Union of Democrat Revival", "Socialist Party of Georgia", "Union of Georgian Traditionalists", "Society of Konstantine Gamsakhurdia" and others. Tension between these two parties gets its peak as the elections come closer. Besides these parties some parties are candidates for overcoming 7% barrier: bloc "Peoples' Party - Didgori". The bloc includes 1. Peoples party - one of the parliamentary opposition parties lead by Mamuka Giorgadse, 2. Party of Georgia Independence and Integrity -"Didgori" that consists of former members of Zviad Gamsakhurdia government. The bloc "National Democrat Alliance - III WAY" that includes 1. National Democrat Party, lead by Irina Sarishvili - one of the parliamentary opposition parties, 2. Republican Party lead by Ivliane Khaindrava, 3. Party of Producers lead by Beso Jugeli - a businessman. The bloc "Industry Will Save Georgia" consists of (just some of the parties will be named here): 1. Political Union - Industry will Save Georgia lead by George Topadse - beer producer, 2. Union of Georgian Reformers and Agrarians lead by Bakur Gulua - a minister of agriculture and food and 3. Political Union - Movement for Georgian State lead by Irakli Batiashvili - a former dissident (Soviet Union period), a minister of department of intelligence service of Georgia in 1992-1993, 4. Labor Party lead by Shalva Natelashvili. This party has achieved significant success in 1998 local self-governing bodies' elections, has shown the third result.

In conclusion, elections of October 31 will start at 7.00 A.M. and will finish at 8.00 P. M. The final results of elections will be declared by CEC no later than 10 days after elections' day.