Session of Keda Municipal Board Failed Eighth Time

Maka Malakmadze, Adjara

Because of insufficient quorum session of Keda municipal board failed eight times. Board members do not attend the session on purpose to fail it because election of a new district governor is on the agenda. 

District governors were changed in four districts of Adjara Autonomous Republic on August 23. At that time, Keda district governor Vazha Bolkvadze was on holiday. Later he personally applied to the Keda municipal board for resignation but the board has not discussed his case yet because of low quorum. 

There are 19 members in the Keda municipal board. The necessary number for quorum is 10 board members. However, although board members are in the building, they do not attend the session. They also refuse to make comment. Interim chairman of the municipal board Jemal Sharadze said board members request to appoint Davit Dumbadze to the position of interim district governor; otherwise they refuse to participate in the session.

Jemal Sharadze added that Georgian majoritarian MP from Keda district Iasha Shervashidze requested him to appoint Dumbadze to the position. Sharadze said despite oppression he is not going to appoint Dumbadze without competition.

“I strongly intend to announce competition and everyone can participate in it; who will present the best program, will become Keda district governor. Keda district majoritarian MP Iasha Shervashidze personally requested me to appoint Davit Dumbadze to the position without any competition. Municipality does not know him properly; he is security officer. I follow the law and am not going to appoint somebody without competition. After the acting governor resigns, I will announce a competition; meanwhile deputy governor Badri Surmanidze will be interim governor,” Jemal Sharadze told humanrights.ge

Representatives of the Batumi office of the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association also attended the sessions. Head of GYLA’s Batumi Office Gia Kartsivadze said the law requires competition for the selection of a new governor. Consequently, the competition is a priority. Without competition, a person can become interim governor but not a governor.

Why does the MP interfere in the activities of local self-government? Why does he request to appoint Davit Dumbadze to the position of interim governor? We wanted to ask this question to MP Iasha Shervashidze but he did not answer our phone calls.