77 in favor, none against - Parliament approves amendments to Election Code in first reading

77 for, no one against - Parliament has approved in the first reading the law, which declares the pressure on voters punishable under the Criminal Code.

Recall, on August 26 the Speaker of the Parliament Archil Talakvadze stated that intimidation or forcing voters to violate secrecy of voting will result in a fine or house arrest for the term from 6 months to 2 years or imprisonment for the term up to 3 years.

Opposition groups called for a boycott of the meeting, saying that "this move by the authorities is another attempt to earn points with international partners.