Service car of the head of the city council in the demonstration of the Georgian Dream

Manon Bokuchava, Kvemo Kartli

On August 3, the political party “Georgian Dream” met population and presented its single mandate candidates on Rustaveli street in Rustavi.

Humanrights.ge detected the service car with state number RST 041 of David Maghlakelidze, the head of the Rustavi City Council, in the colony of cars behind the stage. The head of the council was on the place but we could not notice when he got off the car, because nobody was sitting in the car when we started taking photos of the demonstration. 

How the service car of the head of the city council turned up in the demonstration of the Georgian Dream”? Davit Maghlakelidze clarified that it was his driver’s personal decision.  

“I did not come to the demonstration by the service car. I walked from the Rustavi City Hall to Rustaveli street together with my colleagues. When my driver learnt where I was, he arrived there just to respect me. He is just a driver and does not have obligation to know the law. When I learnt about his arrival, I told him it is illegal to arrive at the demonstration by service car and he took the car away. I left the demonstration area by the car of my nephew. It was real story and do not make noise about it “, - said the head of Rustavi city council. 

NGO “Transparency International – Georgia” does not see the problem i that simple. The lawyer Gigi Chikhladze of the organization clarified that according to the article 48, part I “c” of the Election Code, it is forbidden to use service vehicles during pre-election campaigns. The law violation of the implies financial fines. The exception is made only when special security agency serves the state official  who is engaged in the campaign. 

The head of Rustavi City Council does not have security service guards. However, he often has problem about the service car. When occupying the position, Davit Maghlakelidze chose the state number 041 for his service car that is same as the Georgian Dream’s election number. This fact attracted particular attention of media.. Maghlakelidze claimed he was not responsible for the decision and his office had selected the number. 

The Central Election Commission CEC is responsible to find out who violated the article 48 of the Election Code. We hope that the driver will not be held responsible for the violation which happened after working hours (at 20.00 pm).