Mikheil Saakashvili President of Georgia

Upcoming local self-governmental elections of 2010 are next test inside and outside Georgia for the readiness of the government of Georgia and political spectrum to conduct fair and free elections and to promote democratic institutions. Initiative of the ruling party and the president to select the candidates for the CEC chairperson together with NGOs was positive but those 27 non-governmental organizations* who had one common candidate have several questions in regard with the three candidates you have nominated. The questions are:

1. Why did you decide to nominate the candidates who were proposed only by one NGO instead the candidate who was supported by 27 NGOs? We kindly remind you that among those 27 organizations are those whose main activity is monitoring of elections and promotion of fair election process.
2. Your spokesperson informed the society about the education and working experience of the candidates you nominated. However, it is still unclear for us what our candidate lacked in the view of education or experience in comparison to your candidates.
3. Why did you nominate Levan Tarkhnishvili whose resignation was one of the principal requests of the opposition parties? You mentioned in your statement to the parliament of Georgia on July 20, 2009 that new CEC chairperson was to be elected based on the agreement between political parties.

Please, notify us about your opinion on our questions. We think, discussing these issues will positively influence opinion of Georgian and international community about upcoming elections.

We would like to thank you in advance for your attention and cooperation.

Transparency International – Georgia
      
Georgian Young Lawyers Association

Multinational Georgia

January 18, 2010

* International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy, Young Lawyers Association of Georgia, Foundation “Open Society – Georgia,” Transparency International – Georgia,  Public Movement “Multinational Georgia”, International Foundation for Electoral Systems, Union “21st Century”, the Human Rights Center, Caucasian Women’s Network, International Center for Geo-Political Studies, Law for People, International Center for Conflicts and Negotiations, Network against Discrimination and Intolerance, Center for Constitutional Rights, Human Rights Priority, Georgian Association of Helsinki Group, Foundation “Multi-Ethnic Resource Center for Civil Education Development,” Democracy Institute, Union of Youth Scientists “Intellect”, House of Independent Journalists, Rehabilitation Center, Union for the Promotion of Development and Cooperation “Progress”, Institute of Democratic and Economical Development of Georgia, Journalists for Freedom, Center for Regional Development and Initiatives, Association of Young Journalists, Union of Civil Society Development “Borjghalo.”