CEC Refuses to Bar Ruling Party’s MP Candidate from Race

The Central Election Commission (CEC) turned down on September 29 an appeal by the Society of Legal Development demanding to bar Koba Khabazi, of the ruling National Movement party, from running in MP by-elections in Kobuleti single-mandate constituency on October 1.

Opponents, including the opposition Conservative and New Rights parties accused Koba Khabazi of bribing voters through provision of free medical consultancies and free medicines to the residents of Kobuleti district, starting on September 8.

“We have discussed the appeal, as well as considered the evidence [against Koba Khabazi], but we deemed this evidence insufficient for revoking Koba Khabazi’s registration,” Gia Kavtaradze, the Chairman of the Central Election Commission, said.

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