Opposition Against CEC Membership Nominations

After meeting with those 13 persons on June 1, which were nominated by President Saakashvili for the Central Election Commission (CEC) membership, parliamentarians from the opposition New Rights, Republican and Conservative parties expressed fear that the proposed nominees will fail to keep impartiality during the elections.

President Saakashvili nominated for the CEC Chairmanship Gia Kavtaradze, a former secretary of Justice Council and latter one of the founders of legal and financial consulting firm DVNK. Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli, Chairman of Ajdara Autonomous Republic?s government Levan Varshalomidze were co-founders of this firm.

Two nominees for the CEC membership are officials ? Zurab Pazhava, the deputy governor of Samegrelo region and Zurab Papiashvili, the Interior Ministry official.

The opposition parliamentarians from the New Rights say that while one part of nominees are affiliated with the government, another part of nominations are ?sympathizing? ruling National Movement party ? allegations strongly denied by the nominees themselves.

According to the new rule of composition of the CEC, the Parliament will have to select six out of 12 nominees to fill the 7-member CEC. The Chairmanship nomination is discussed separately.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)