Saakashvili Meets CEC Chairman

President Saakashvili met on September 19 with Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Gia Kavtaradze to discuss preparations for the upcoming MP by-elections, which will be held in five single-mandate constituencies throughout the country on October 1.

Saakashvili said during this meeting that the elections must be free and fair, adding that the use of state resources by the candidates should be ruled out, the President?s press office reported.

?I am in a very difficult situation. On the one hand, I am the leader of a political party [National Movement] and of course I am interested that this party could endorse as many [MPs] in the Parliament as possible. But on the other hand, I also welcome the opposition?s coordination [referring to recently held primary elections]. I hope that this cooperation [between the opposition parties] gives us a chance to create a responsible opposition,? Saakashvili said.

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