Kharatishvili's resignation not to affect electoral process in Georgia – CEC
By Nazrin Gadimova
The resignation of Chairman of the Georgian Central Election Commission (CEC) Zurab Kharatishvili will not affect the electoral process in the country, the CEC reported on August 15.
Kharatishvili has left his position before the presidential elections on August 12. Georgian media spread information about Kharatishvili's intention to participate in the elections to be held on October 27, 2013.
"We want to clarify the situation and state that all CEC members continue to operate. The CEC is an independent institution, which is staffed by qualified personnel, and the replacement of its leader will not be able to influence the electoral process. All election procedures will be conducted transparently, fairly and in accordance with the law," the statement reads.
The CEC emphasized that the expected changes in the activities of the CEC are unfounded.
"We are upset with Kharatishvili's decision, but reforms, which were carried out with his participation, have greatly improved the system of administration, and in this regard we do not expect any complications," the report reads.
Kharatishvili, in turn, took the initiative to create a new political center.
"The next few days along with supporters, we will determine the conceptual basis, on which consultations with various political forces and personalities will be held," Kharatishvili said at the press conference on August 15.
According to Kharatishvili, the principles of the new political center will be known on August 20. Moreover, he named premature the talks on his possible involvement in the upcoming presidential election.
Under the existing rules, during the week Georgian president will present three candidates for the post of Chairman of the Central Election Commission on the recommendation of the civil society. Representatives of Georgian Dream in CEC, which is in minority, have to choose one candidate. Kharatishvili was considered a protege of the president's United National Movement and now a protege of the ruling Georgian Dream coalition will be assigned for the post.
Kharatishvili served as chairman of the Central Election Commission since 2010. From 2008 to 2010 he was a member of the board of trustees of the Georgian Public Broadcaster. Earlier, during the nine years he was the executive director of the KPMG Company.
The 2013 presidential election in Georgia is scheduled for October. This will be the 6th presidential election after the country's declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The last one, held on January 5, 2008, resulted in the election of Mikheil Saakashvili for his second and final presidential term. According to the constitution, Saakashvili cannot run for a third consecutive term.
Upon the inauguration of a new president in 2013, a series of constitutional amendments passed in the parliament of Georgia from 2010 to 2013 will go into effect. The amendments envisage significant reduction of the President's powers in favor of the Prime Minister.