North America’s Bishop Saba: move to close overseas polling stations ‘painful blow’ to Georgian emigrants

Bishop Saba Intskirveli in the Georgian Orthodox Church in North America has criticised the government’s plan to discontinue overseas polling stations, saying it had created a “heavy and painful reality” for thousands of Georgian emigrants.

The cleric, who oversees Georgian parishes in the United States, Canada and Mexico, wrote on social media that years of pastoral service abroad had shown him “the daily struggle” of emigrants, their longing for family, and their strong desire to remain engaged in Georgia’s civic life despite physical distance.

He said he had hoped the government would expand voting opportunities - by opening additional polling stations and simplifying procedures - to ensure that Georgians living abroad could exercise their right to vote. “Instead, we have received a situation that has made participation in elections almost impossible for emigrants,” he wrote.

Intskirveli stressed that travelling to Georgia was unrealistic for many overseas citizens due to high costs, lack of documents, visa issues and other barriers, meaning the proposed rule amounted to a “de facto restriction” of constitutional voting rights for a significant portion of the diaspora.

He said his statement was not intended as a political intervention, but as a pastoral reflection on behalf of the emigrants he serves - “people who work every day on foreign soil, carry love for their homeland in their hearts, and sincerely wish to participate in the country’s future.”

The bishop called on lawmakers to reject the proposed amendment and preserve the current system that allows Georgians abroad to vote at foreign polling stations.