Georgian President demands maximum transparency in upcoming elections

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili demands maximum transparency during parliamentary elections in fall 2012. He told about that during his meeting with Zurab Kharatishvili, chairman of the Central Election Commission in the Presidential palace on Wednesday.

"We should ensure presence of as many international observers as possible during the elections. At the same time there should be short-term missions as well as long-term missions which will be able to track and monitor election campaign," he stressed.

The president heard Kharatishvili's report on measures taken by CEC and expressed his satisfaction with active preparation for the elections and noted need for more transparency in CEC activity. Kharatishvili said he saw two main tasks of CEC - to ensure equal opportunity for all parties and to ensure commitment to the election charter code.

"At least nine months are left before the elections since the elections is supposed to be held in October. This is enough time to hold transparent elections like we held local elections. We have enough time but we should use it properly," Saakashvili said and noted that he is interested in preparation for the elections not as a leader of the National movement party but as a president.
The president said holding parliamentary elections is a very complicated process and offered the CEC assistance the government may give. Saakashvili also stressed it is necessary to keep stability during the election campaign and the elections.


/Trend/