Million Lari for Infrastructural Projects-The President’s pre-election Transfer

Manon Bokuchava, Kvemo Kartli

“I have good news for you”, Kakha Baratashvili, the deputy head of Rustavi board, said as he addressed people gathered at a board meeting. The good news was a transfer of one million lari from the president’s fund to the Rustavi budget.

“The president transferred this sum for Rustavi infrastructural projects”, Gigi Tabatadze, the deputy mayor of Rustavi, clearly defined.

The local government admits that this transfer was not planned. They emphasized the transfer as good news for everybody. The reason for such straightforwardness  is that restrictions for transfers founded by Article 49 of the Election Code are established only when the Election Day is officially announced. It does not matter that election campaign actually began several months ago.

Society has watched politicians met with teachers, firemen, and people employed in different public departments in various regions. In addition, as the Election Code allows, central and local government budget resources are easily used for raising the rating of the ruling party. People associated with the elective subject-National Movement party inaugurate infrastructural objects realized by budget funds.  More precisely, the president of the ”National Movement”  opened a new swimming pool called “Arena” at a ceremony in Rustavi last month.  It was supported  by the president’s fund..

Even the government of Rustavi admits these social actions were not planned in advance. One example is the distribution of potatoes last month by the government.

Consequently, there is legitimate doubt that unplanned transfers greatly aid the ruling party.

“It is prohibited to initiate unplanned projects with the state/local budget from the time the election day is appointed until the summarizing the of results of the elections. Furthermore, it is prohibited to increase planned budget programs before elections in order to initiate unplanned transfers or increase planned transfers”.  Stated in Article 49 of the Election Code of Georgia.