Two Candidates Shortlisted for CEC Chairman’s Position

Levan Tarkhnishvili, the chairman of the Board of the Georgian Public Broadcaster, and Giorgi Gvajaia, currently unemployed, have been shortlisted for the chairmanship position of the Central Election Commission (CEC), Mikheil Ninua, the deputy head of the president’s office, said at a news conference on October 2.

President Saakashvili has to nominate at least one of them and seek parliamentary approval.

Levan Tarkhnishvili is expected to receive the final nomination. If he does so, criticism from the opposition can be expected, as he is believed to have close links with the ruling party, in particular, with the influential lawmaker Giga Bokeria.

The position of the CEC chairman, which is of crucial importance ahead of the 2008 parliamentary and presidential elections, became available following former Chairman Guram Chalagashvili’s appointment as the chairman of the Georgian National Energy Regulatory Commission.

Three candidates – Davit Zaalishvili, Davit Kirtadze and Paata Manjgaladze – were shortlisted to fill one vacant CEC Board membership position. The president must nominate one of them and seek parliamentary approval.

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