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Turmoil about Selection of Lanchkhuti District Governor

December 27, 2012

Nino Mshvidobadze, Guria

Four members quitted competition-testing commission at Lanchkhuti district administration, which is about to select new district governor. It was kind of protest against the commission demonstrated at the very first session.

“This commission cannot be impartial because five out of fifteen members represent National Movement. Besides that, civil society is not properly presented in the commission and they cannot influence decision-making process,” they told humanrights.ge

Afterwards, editors of two local newspapers Nona Gigineishvili and Ketevan Nakashidze left the commission at the second session. As a result, only 9 members remained in the commission.

Commission chairman Zviad Apkhazava said 106 people have applied for the position. Only five of them passed through the second stage: Zaza Urushadze, Roman Bitsadze, Apolon Tsilosani, Irina Pirtskhalava (Abasha) and Merab Sergoshvili (Batumi).

Initially, Georgian Dream had nominated Roman Bitsadze to be a commission member and now discussion of his candidature for the district governor’s position is controversial.

We asked Roman Bitsadze why he had applied for the district governor’s position to the commission, which he did not trust.

“I read an interview with applicant Zaza Urushadze in a newspaper; he said he intended to implement business-projects. So, I had an impression that he does not know the law on public agency and what are the district governor’s obligations. Afterwards, I sent my CV to the commission. I definitely know that some of commission members will not like this fact but I am interested what will be their motive to decline my candidature,” said Roman Bitsadze.

Another candidate of the Coalition Gela Pateishvili declared his mistrust to the Commission and did not apply to them. “The Coalition does not trust this commission. We perceive it as a commission of the National Movement. We believe they will pass impartial decision in favor of the concrete candidate. Everybody will see it soon.”

Commission chairman Zviad Apkhazava said five candidates, who passed through the first stage, had submitted full documentation to the commission. Afterwards, they will receive a competitor’s certificate; otherwise they will not take part in the competition.

Zviad Apkhazava said seven out of nine commission members attended the second session. However, he said it was enough for the future work of the commission. “Amendments were introduced to the resolution on the previous day of the commission session (on Friday, December 21) and only those members were mentioned in it, who remained in the commission. President’s decree states that competition can be failed “if commission refuses to nominate any candidate or no applications are submitted to the commission.” There is no provision in any decree which declares the competition failed after a commission member quits it. We do not have problems with regard to quorum either. Everything was done after consultations with lawyers not to make anything arguable.

The rules on competition for the selection of public servants reads: “competition-testing commission is plenipotentiary if more than half of its members attend the session.” Apparently, since it was necessary to have more than half members at the session, the relevant amendments were introduced to the decree of the chairman of the municipal board and number of commission members was fixed 9 instead previous 15.”

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