Zurab Tchiaberashvili, 32, was appointed as the Chairman of the Central Election Commission last November. Before appointment he was running election observer NGO. The March 28 elections were overshadowed by the polls in defiant Adjarian Autonomous Republic. Adjara also topped agenda during the post-election period. The CEC’s controversial decision over cancellation of the election results in Adjara’s two districts – Khulo and Kobuleti, further complicated situation and triggered more protests from the Adjarian leadership. The CEC Chairman was barred from entering the Autonomy and then repeat elections scheduled in Adjara’s two districts on April 18 were disrupted. Q.: How would you evaluate the 28 March parliamentary elections? A.: Progress was quite obvious at these elections compared with previous ones. In comparison with the January 4 presidential elections, the situation has changed for better in several directions. The first one is related to voter lists. The most important is that the voter lists were computerized. As a result of these two elections we have received the optimal version of voter lists. The professionalism of the election administration members has significantly increased during this period of time, however much is to be done in this regard. The pre-election period was rather smooth as well. Actually not a single decision of the Central Election Commission, during the pre-election period, was appealed in court. The elections day passed in a normal atmosphere as well. I personally never expected such order on the elections day. As for the post-election period, not everything was in order. We have succeeded to announce the preliminary results of the elections two days after the polls; it was an unprecedented case. However, the consequent processes, such as reacting on violations and cancellation of results at various polling stations have triggered discontent of society, thus causing certain damage to the image of elections. However, as a whole, it may be said, that progress was achieved. Still, much is to be done to increase the skills of election administrations. Q.: Was there any case of pressure from the political parties/government on the Central Election Commission? A.: Not a single political party has put pressure. If we would considers that the Adjarian authorities and the Revival Union are one the same, it may be said, that they really put particular pressure. Q.: The CEC’s decision to cancel election results in Adjara’s two districts – Khulo and Kobuleti and to appoint repeat elections there sparked major controversy. Many legal experts and election observers think that it was illegal and politically-motivated decision. A.: In Khulo and Kobuleti more than a half of polling stations were cancelled, that finally caused the cancellation of the results of the entire election district. While, in Kvemo Kartli the results of more than a half of polling stations were not annulled, so the results of the entire election district could not have been annulled. However, on a basis of the lawsuits filed by the Georgian Young Lawyers Association [organization, which observed March 28 elections] a great part of polling stations in Marneuli, Gardabani and Bolnisi districts were cancelled. |
|||||
Civil.Ge © 2001-2024