Pre-election complaint to the Kutaisi District Election Commission

Shorena Kakabadze, Kutaisi

Kutaisi office of the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association lodged a complaint to the Kutaisi District Election Commission #59. The complaint applies to a possible violation of the election code. In particular, it refers to the pre-election propaganda by the head of the Organizational and Human Resources Department at the Kutaisi City Council during the working hours.

“On August 16, 18 and 19, 2016 Levan Gogelashvili, the head of Organizational and Human Resources Department at the Kutaisi City Council, conducted pre-election propaganda in social media (Facebook) during the working hours. In particular, he posted the information in support of the political party Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia”, - the statement of the GYLA’s Kutaisi organization reads. 

According to the article 79 of the Election Code of Georgia, if the law is violated, participation in the pre-election propaganda shall be punished with the fine of 2 000 GEL. 

The representatives of different opposite parties also complain about it. They claim the employees of the Kutaisi self-governmental bodies conduct pre-election propaganda during the working hours generally and in social media openly through violating the law and all rules. 

“We, of course, heard many complaints about it. However, only this concrete case was identified. Levan Gogelashvili, the head of Organizational and Human Resources Department at the Kutaisi City Council, allegedly, conducted the pre-election propaganda in favor of the ruling party during the working hours, which is punishable by the law. Therefore, we addressed the Kutaisi District Election Commission regarding the case and now we are waiting for the response of the organization”, - Giorgi Santuriani, the head of GYLA’s Kutaisi office said. 

Humanrights.ge contacted Avtandil Osepaishvili, the head of the Kutaisi District Election Commission #59. 

“The investigation has started. We examine the case in details, of course, taking into consideration the opinion of the accused person. I mean Levan Gogelashvili, the head of Organizational and Human Resources Department at the Kutaisi City Council. We will listen to his arguments, which he shall present within 5 days and only after that, the Kutaisi District Election Commission will verbally review the case and, consequently, release final decision”, - Avtandil Osepaishvili declared. 

Representatives of the Kutaisi District Election Commission #59 say in accordance to the law, they have one month to review the case. However, it is not excluded that the decision will be made earlier, in upcoming days.